Men's Basketball

Arch Madness Game 4: Bradley 61, Missouri State 58

#5 Bradley 61, #4 Missouri State 58
  
Records and Tournament Notes:  Day Quarterfinal Session Attendance: 6,774.
Bradley junior guard Darrell Brown became ninth player to tie MVC Tournament record for single-game free throw percentage at 100 by making all 10 free throws
 
BRADLEY WIN: Bradley, which has won eight of its last 10 games, improves to 18-14…Braves improved MVC Tournament record to 33-37, advancing to semifinal round for second straight year and 20th time in school history. Bradley is 2-3 against Missouri State in the MVC Tournament and moves to 10-6 as number five seed…This marked seventh time this season Bradley has rallied from first half deficit to win, matching the most comeback wins at the school since 2012-13. It also marked the sixth time in Bradley history, they have lost twice to an MVC foe then won the third matchup.
 
MISSOURI STATE LOSS: The Bears, who have lost four of their last five games, fall to 16-16…Missouri State’s MVC Tournament record slips to 31-27 including 16-11 record in the quarterfinal round, a 4-5 record as a #4 seed and a 3-2 mark against Bradley.
 
Bradley Player Notes: Darrell Brown scored 20 points, including 14 in the second half, for his 16th career 20-plus scoring game including seventh this season. He added five assists pushing his season total to 101, marking second straight year he dished out 100-plus assists. Sophomore forward Elijah Childs added 12 points – all in second half. Dwayne Lautier-Ogunleye, who scored a combined eight points (6,2) in two previous games against Missouri State this season, had 11 points, including three treys. He failed to make a trey in two previous games against Bradley. Reserve Ja’Shon Henry, who had a DNP in first game against Missouri State and was held scoreless in second game, added eight points. Luuk van Bree was held scoreless for first time since Nov. 21, 2018 against Penn State, ending string of 23 straight games scoring.
 
Missouri State Player Notes: Guard Jarred Dixon led Bears with 17 points – while more than doubling his entire output of seven points in previous game against Bradley Jan. 26. First-team all-MVC performer Tulio Da Silva, who scored a career-high 24 points in Jan. 12 game at Bradley, finished with season-low three points – all in the second half.
 
First Half:  Bradley pulled within 21-20 with 4:57 left following two free throws by Darrell Brown but closed out the half, missing six of its last seven shots. Missouri State responded with 8-2 run ending the half, fueled by five points from Jarred Dixon. Senior Ryan Kreklow, who was held to just two points in previous meeting against Bradley, scored six of Missouri State’s first 11 points, staking Bears to biggest lead at 11-3…Braves answered with 13-5 surge, fueled by eight points from Dwayne Lautier-Ogunleye to tie game at 16-16, following dunk by Ja’Shon Henry with 10:54 left. 
 
Second Half:  Despite going the last 3:06 without a basket, Bradley scored its last seven points at free throw line to hold off Missouri State. The Braves opened second half with 10-3 run to tie game at 31-31 following basket by Elijah Childs with 14:53 left. Two free throws by Darrell Brown gave Bradley its first lead of game at 37-36 with 12:19 remaining. Then during a 2 minute 28 second stretch (14:53 to 10:25) Bradley made five straight shots – all by different players – to enjoy 42-38 advantage following a dunk by reserve Ja’Shon Henry. There would be six more lead changes before Bradley went on 7-0 run turning 49-47 deficit into a 54-49 lead it never relinquished. Childs had five of seven points during that rally. Missouri State pulled within 58-56 with 36.2 seconds following by two free throws Keandre Cook forcing Bradley to take time out. Bradley’s Nate Kennell was fouled driving to basket but missed front end of bonus free throw situation with 29 seconds. Missouri State’s Keandre Cook had shot from left wing blocked by Childs with 16 seconds left. Kennell’s halfcourt inbound pass was stolen by Ryan Kreklow who missed three-point shot at top of key. Forced to foul, Missouri State sent Darrell Brown to free throw line where he sank two free throws pushing Bradley’s lead to 60-56 with 8.3 seconds. Josh Webster’s layup with 2.1 seconds pulled Missouri State within 60-58. Childs made free throw with one second accounting for final margin.