Box Score PEORIA, Ill. -- The Bradley Braves Women's Basketball team fell in a nailbitter against Belmont University, 77-72.

Reagan Barkema is COOKING 🔥 pic.twitter.com/6VZfMCfIvU
— Bradley WBB (@BradleyWBB) March 8, 2024
 

The Braves came out to a hot start. Senior Isis Fitch led the team in points, scoring eight. Freshman Halli Poock and Sophomore Reagan Barkema both made big three-pointers. This energetic start was felt by the players on the floor, as well as the energy coming off the Bradley bench. Poock also dished out three assists in the first quarter. Bradley shot 52.9% as a team in the first 10 minutes. The Braves exited the first frame with a 25-16 lead.

Fitch does not back down, earning the ➕1️⃣🏀 pic.twitter.com/Xb8JE9quXH
— Bradley WBB (@BradleyWBB) March 8, 2024
 

Barkema continued to drain from beyond the arc, making two more threes in the second quarter. As a team, the Braves went 71.4% from the three-point arc. Not only was Bradley swishing their threes, but they played excellent perimeter defense. The Bruins only made 3-10 from the arc in the first half. Bradley went into halftime on top, 37-35.

Yet another Barkema 3️⃣❗️

Her 3️⃣rd of the half‼️ pic.twitter.com/9O7jSMM7ti
— Bradley WBB (@BradleyWBB) March 8, 2024
 

The Braves kept the foot on the gas following halftime, shooting 64.3% from the field, 4-5 from the three-point arc. Poock went on a 5-6 run, Barkema went on a 5-6 run and Junior Alex Rouse went on a 3-4 run in the final minutes to end the third quarter. Bradley went into the final quarter of the game on top, 62-55.

POOCK HITS THE BUZZER BEATER 3️⃣ TO GO UP 62-55 TO END THE THIRD QUARTER❗️🏀 pic.twitter.com/sqypbvfd8m
— Bradley WBB (@BradleyWBB) March 8, 2024
 

The Braves played a strong game but fell in the end, 77-72. They ended the game shooting 47.4% from three. The Braves lead in offensive rebounds, grabbing 13 boards during offensive possessions.

BRADLEY

Points	Rebounds	Assists
Fitch - 19	Rouse and Fitch - 6	Poock - 6
Poock - 17	Barkema - 5	Abo Hashesh - 4
Barkema - 14	Wade - 3	Barkema, Rouse and Wade - 2

BELMONT

Points	Rebounds	Assists
Miller - 24	McGuff and Cheesman - 7	Schoenwald - 5
Cheesman - 18	Miller - 6	Jones - 4
Jones - 16	Feltner - 4	Cheesman - 3

COMING UP...
The Braves will play their final home game, hosting Murray State on Saturday, March 9. The Braves will be celebrating Senior Day. Tipoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. CT.