Box Score Peoria, Ill. - The Bradley Braves (0-2) were looking to turn the page from a tough road loss, and the official home opener provided that opportunity. Standing on the opposing sideline were the South Dakota Coyotes (2-1), who were coming off a Sweet 16 season, but also having lost its entire starting lineup from that group. 

CLOSE BATTLE EARLY
Neither team found a 'true' rhythm in the game's earliest moments. South Dakota held a five-point lead at 11-6 on a Nicole Avila-Ambrosi three, and Bradley held a four-point lead at quarter's end on a jumper from Caroline Waite to beat the quarter buzzer. It wasn't just that shot for Waite, as she would score seven of her eventual 17 points in the opening frame. Outside of those respective leads, the two teams found themselves effectively trading punches. 

SECOND CHANCE, HOT START
Bradley got off on an improved track in the second quarter, going on an 8-2 run which had three-pointers from Ruba Abo Hashesh and Caroline Waite, as well as two free throws from Daija Powell. It would escalate quickly, however. That 27-17 lead three minutes into the quarter became a 30-27 deficit after the Coyotes ran off 13 unanswered points. The Abo Hashesh trey at 6:56 was the last Bradley field goal until her own jumper with 46 seconds remaining until halftime, the latter of which pulled Bradley within 33-30. Abo Hashesh would finish her eight-point second quarter with another three, this one making it a 35-33 South Dakota lead. The Coyotes netted a pair of free throws to go up four at the break. 

OUT OF THE LOCKER ROOM
The third quarter saw the Bradley offense unable to get a lid off the basket. Daija Powell made a jumper at the 8:54 mark to get Bradley within 40-35. They would not make another field goal the rest of the quarter. Caroline Waite made the most of her free throw opportunities, going 4-4 in the third. Between Powell's jumper and Waite's free throws, that was the scoring. Meanwhile, the Coyotes spread the wealth, getting five separate players in the box score for the quarter. South Dakota hit three three-pointers in each of the last three quarters. That made it 16-6 Coyotes in the third, and 53-39 for the game. 

NOT MUCH TO GO AROUND
The offensive pace seemed to have returned to the game's earlier stages. A Coyotes trey at the 8:44 mark was the first scoring of any kind. Bradley got within 14 points on a jumper from Alex Rouse with 4:52 to go. Waite added her third three of the game to get within 13 with 3:38 left. Alas, that would be the closest the Braves got. Rouse made another jumper with just over a minute remaining, but the Coyotes would come out victorious and hold a (3-0) mark in series history after a 71-53 final score.

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE BRAVES
@ Wisconsin Badgers (2-1, 0-0 Big Ten)
Wednesday, November 16th
@ Kohl Center - Madison, Wisconsin
6:30 PM Tipoff
Watch Live (BTN+)
Listen Live (1290 AM-WIRL)
Live Stats (Sidearm)