Peoria, IL -- The Bradley Braves defeated the San Francisco Dons in a marquee Mid-Major Matchup Wednesday night.
Game Summary
The Bradley Braves dug deep to secure a 66-64 victory over the San Francisco Dons in what was one of the highest-profile mid-major games of the night. The matchup featured two contrasting styles, with the Braves owning one of the highest-scoring offenses in the nation, averaging over 80 points per game, while the San Francisco Dons boasted a defense that allowed just over 60 points per game. However, when the night was over, it was Bradley's defense that took center stage, as the Braves held the Dons to just 35% shooting from the field and 35.5% from three-point range. Bradley also forced San Francisco into 15 turnovers, tying their second-highest turnover total of the season.
Both defenses dominated the opening 15 minutes, with only 37 total points scored. The Dons led 20-17 at the 4:11 mark of the first half. Bradley would strike late in the half to take the lead, but after a three-pointer from Junjie Wang, the Dons would carry a small two-point lead into the break at 27-25. The second half featured much more offense, clutch shooting, and timely defensive plays. After combining for only 52 points in the first half, the teams exploded for 78 points in the second frame. Neither team led by more than six points until the Braves found their rhythm, sparked by a personal 5-0 run from Darius Hannah. This propelled Bradley to an 11-point lead at the 6:09 mark of the second half, which was the largest lead for either team.
The Dons, however, didn't go quietly. Junjie Wang, Ryan Beasley, and Marcus Williams got the offense back on track, leading San Francisco to a late three-point barrage. The Dons hit six three-pointers in the final 5:00 minutes, but some timely rebounds and key shots by Bradley on the other end were too much for the Dons to overcome.
The Balanced Braves Attack
The Braves were fueled by a well-rounded team effort. Duke Deen led the way in scoring and rebounding with 19 points (the most of any player) and seven rebounds (tied for the team lead). Zek Montgomery and Darius Hannah also contributed with double-digit scoring, combining for 23 points and eight rebounds. As a team, Bradley did most of their damage from the three-point line, shooting at a 66% clip, with 36 of their 66 total points coming from beyond the arc. Corey Thomas made his first start for the Braves, recording five points, three rebounds, two assists, and a block in 22 minutes of play. Defensively, Bradley was extremely active in the passing lanes, recording 10 steals and collecting four blocks.
For the Dons
Things looked promising for the Dons early, as Malik Thomas, who had scored 35 points in their previous game against Loyola-Chicago, tallied eight of San Francisco's first 10 points. However, he would only score six more points in the final 30 minutes. Marcus Williams finished as the Dons' leading scorer with 18 points. Much like Bradley, San Francisco had a balanced attack, with three players reaching double figures and five Dons grabbing five or more rebounds. The Dons' reserves also provided valuable contributions, scoring 17 bench points and collecting 17 rebounds. San Francisco will next face the Montana Grizzlies from the Big Sky Conference.
What's Next?
The Braves will remain at home to host the Canisius Golden Griffins on December 21st at 1:00 p.m. from Carver Arena. The game will be available for streaming on ESPN+, and it will conclude the non-conference portion of the schedule for Bradley. The Braves will resume Missouri Valley Conference play on December 29th against the Valparaiso Beacons, also at Carver Arena, with tip-off set for 3:00 p.m.