Peoria, Ill. – Bradley Women's Basketball split their weekend trip at the Fort Myers Tip-Off, falling to the University of Missouri 73-66 on Friday before rebounding on Saturday to defeat Abilene Christian University 80-74.
Bradley vs. University of Missouri
A Close Start
The Braves and Tigers went back and forth throughout the first quarter, with Maya Foz leading the way for the Braves with 11 points, an assist, a steal, and a rebound. Bradley went into the second quarter down by one but quickly regained the lead off a Kaylen Nelson 3-pointer just 15 seconds into the quarter. After extending their lead to five early, the Tigers battled back and went into halftime with a three-point lead.
Standout Performances for Bradley
Foz finished with 16 points, four steals, three assists, and two rebounds while shooting 4-for-5 from three. Nelson had another phenomenal day, shooting 6-for-10 from beyond the arc to reach a team-leading 25 points with a block, an assist, and four boards to be named the Ameren Illinois Player of the Game. Claire McDougall led the team in rebounds with nine, adding six points, three steals, and two assists.
A Slow Start in the Third
Missouri extended their lead to 13 with three minutes left in the quarter, but Bradley battled back to keep the game within seven heading into the fourth quarter. However, the Braves couldn't pull off the comeback in this one, ultimately losing 73-66.
Defensive Notes
Bradley did a great job of punishing the Tigers' mistakes, scoring 18 points off their turnovers. The Braves played solid defense to keep themselves in the game, as they held Missouri, which had been averaging 80.4 points per game heading into this weekend, to just 73 points. However, they struggled to hold them off in the paint, as the Tigers scored 38 points down low.
Bradley vs. Abilene Christian University
Just One Step Behind
The Braves struggled to keep up with the Wildcats after exchanging early baskets to tie the game at five. Bradley held three one-point leads in the first quarter, but couldn't hold them for long and went into the second quarter down by six. Bradley battled back to cut the lead down to one at multiple points in the second quarter, but Abilene Christian continued to stay just ahead, entering halftime with a six-point lead.
Standout Performances for Bradley
McDougall earned the Ameren Illinois Player of the Game, scoring 19 points, grabbing five boards, and notching three assists and three steals. Nelson had back-to-back 20-point performances this weekend, scoring 21 points, grabbing two rebounds, and totaling four assists and a steal. Tamia Perryman had a strong game, finishing with 14 points, three assists, three rebounds, and a steal. Mya Wardle was also efficient, leading the team with six assists while adding 10 points and grabbing two rebounds.
The Comeback
Abilene Christian maintained control early in the third quarter to extend their lead to 13 points, but Bradley chipped away at it late to cut the lead down to four heading into the fourth quarter. A layup by Nelson tied the game for the first time since the first half, and she later gave the Braves their first lead since the first quarter with a three-pointer midway through the fourth. Bradley took the lead for the last time on a Wardle three-pointer with just under four minutes to play and held it for the rest of the way, beating the Wildcats 80-74.
Defensive Notes
For the second consecutive game, the Braves did a great job of capitalizing on their opponents' mistakes, scoring 23 points off the Wildcats' turnovers compared to their 14. After a rough first quarter, Bradley buckled down defensively in the last three, holding Abilene Christian to 3-for-13 from beyond the arc over the final three quarters.
Coming Up…
Bradley will wrap up their road trip on Wednesday when they face the University of Nebraska at 7 p.m.