Peoria, Ill. – Bradley Women's Basketball extended their winning streak to three on Friday as they defeated the Drake Bulldogs, 71-64.
A Close First Half
The Braves and Bulldogs went back and forth to start the game, but Bradley went on a seven-point run late in the first quarter and outscored Drake 9-2 in the final three minutes to hold an 18-11 lead heading into the second quarter. The Bulldogs started to push back, tying the game just over three minutes into the second quarter. The two teams kept it close for the remainder of the first half, exchanging baskets to keep the score within two points. Drake got the last laugh before halftime, sinking a jumper to take a 32-30 lead into the second half.
Standout Performances for Bradley
Ellie McDermid recorded her first double-double of the season, fourth of her career, totaling 14 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, and one block. Maya Foz led the team in points, scoring 17 while adding four rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Kaylen Nelson had another strong game, totaling 15 points, six rebounds, one block, and one steal. Tamia Perryman extended her double-digit scoring streak to three, finishing the game with 11 points and two rebounds.
Pulling Away for the Win
The Braves and Bulldogs stayed neck and neck, but Drake continued to hold a slight edge. However, Bradley went on a late run, scoring the final eight points of the quarter to take a 49-46 advantage heading into the final ten minutes of the game. Bradley carried that momentum into the fourth quarter, scoring the first four points to extend their lead to seven. The Braves maintained the momentum for the remainder of the game, not allowing the Bulldogs to cut the deficit below seven points to secure the 71-64 win.
Defensive Notes
Bradley did a great job of holding Drake from distance, forcing them to go 2-for-17 from beyond the arc. On top of that, the Braves kept one of the best rebounding teams in the MVC from capitalizing on second-chance opportunities, not allowing Drake to score any points on their seven offensive rebounds. The Braves also did a great job of capitalizing on the Bulldogs' mistakes, scoring 12 points off their 13 turnovers.
Coming Up…
The Braves will wrap up their road trip on Sunday when they travel to the University of Northern Iowa to face the Panthers at 2 p.m., before returning home for a three-game homestand.