Peoria, Ill. – Bradley Women's Basketball held onto a late lead to defeat the Northern Kentucky Norse, 62-61, for their fourth straight win.
A Back-and-Forth Start
The Braves and Norse traded blows early as the Norse took a five-point lead just three minutes into the game, which Bradley tied up just two minutes later. The teams continued to battle until Kaylen Nelson scored a layup and a three-pointer late in the first 10 minutes to give Bradley a 20-16 lead heading into the second quarter. The tide changed quickly as Northern Kentucky went on a nine-point run to take the lead, and after two more lead changes, the Norse carried a 35-32 lead into the half.
Standout Performances for Bradley
Maya Foz led the way for the Braves, finishing the day with 15 points, two assists, and two rebounds. Tamia Perryman was right behind Foz with 14 points while leading the team in assists with three, adding four rebounds and one steal. Nelson put together her 11th straight double-digit scoring effort, totaling 11 points, two rebounds, one assist, and one steal. Ellie McDermid had a strong two-way game, finishing with a team-leading 11 rebounds and four blocks while adding eight points and an assist.
Battling Back for the Win
The Norse fired off six straight points to start the third, putting the Braves down nine, but they slowly chipped away at the deficit to tie the game with just over three minutes left on a Mya Wardle three-pointer. Bradley continued to hold onto the momentum for the remainder of the third quarter, taking a 52-51 lead into the final 10 minutes of the game. Northern Kentucky regained the lead early in the fourth quarter, but Bradley fought back to retake the lead with just over six minutes left and didn't give it up for the rest of the game.
Defensive Notes
The Braves showcased their strong perimeter defense in this one, holding Northern Kentucky to 4-for-20 from beyond the arc. They also stepped up their game when it mattered the most, forcing the Norse to go 3-for-17 from the field in the final quarter to secure the win. Bradley outblocked their opponents five-to-one and forced 12 turnovers from the Norse that produced 14 points.
Coming Up…
The Braves will take their winning streak into 2026 as they return to action on January 2, 2026, against the Belmont Bruins in the second game of their four-game road trip.