PEORIA, Ill. — The Bradley Braves put up a determined effort but came up short against the UNI Panthers in a Missouri Valley Conference match at the Renaissance Coliseum, falling 67-44.

A Competitive Start

Bradley managed to stay competitive in the first half, keeping pace with UNI's offense. After the first quarter, the Braves trailed by just two points, 18-16, and went into halftime down by three, 29-27. However, UNI's scoring consistency and Bradley's struggles in the second half proved to be decisive.

Key Performers for Bradley

• Soleil Barnes led the Braves with 10 points on 5-of-14 shooting and added 4 rebounds.

• Ellie McDermid contributed 9 points and 7 rebounds, providing a strong interior presence.

• Ruba Abo Hashesh added 7 points and knocked down a three-pointer, showcasing her versatility.

Opportunities Missed

The Braves struggled to capitalize offensively, shooting just 30.9% from the field. Turnovers also hampered Bradley's rhythm, as they committed 16 giveaways that led to 12 points for UNI. Despite their efforts on the boards, the Braves were out-rebounded 34-27.

Defensive Efforts

Bradley's defense forced 20 UNI turnovers and managed 9 steals, with Tamia Perryman leading the way with 3 steals. However, UNI's ability to score in the paint (36 points) and their efficiency from beyond the arc (7-of-16) proved too much to overcome.

Takeaways

While Bradley showed resilience, especially in the first half, their offensive struggles in the fourth quarter—where they scored only 5 points—sealed their fate. 

Looking Ahead

Bradley will aim to bounce back when they travel to Chicago to take on UIC on Friday, Jan. 17 at 7 pm.