PEORIA, Ill. – After scratching their way back into the game Saturday at Bradley, Missouri State saw the final 10 minutes get away as the Bears saw a single-digit deficit turn into an 86-60 loss down the stretch.
Connor Hickman’s 25 points led the surging Braves (10-5, 2-2 MVC) who picked up their fourth straight win, while Darius Hannah added 19 points for the home side.
Missouri State (9-6, 1-3 MVC) got 17 points and 7 rebounds from Cesare Edwards who led the Bears in both categories for the second straight game. Donovan Clay added 13 points for MoState with Matthew Lee dishing out 6 assists.
After trailing 42-28 at the half, the Bears held tough through the midway point of the final stanza, working the ball inside during a key stretch with a dunk by N.J. Benson and a layup by Donovan Clay with 10:24 to go, making it a single-digit deficit for the first time since late in the opening half. Clay’s bucket made it a 56-47 game.
But Bradley would embark on a key 8-1 run over the next two-and-a-half minutes to push back ahead by 16 on a short jumper by Christian Davis at the 8:00 mark.
The Bears called timeout to calm the waters and responded with a three by Tyler Bey to climb within 64-51, but Hickman and the Braves would slam the door moments later. Hickman’s fifth trey of the game ignited an 11-3 run to push the home side ahead by 20 for the first time with just over four minutes left.
Edwards’ dunk with 90 seconds to go was Missouri State’s only field goal in the final four minutes.
Bradley finished 35-of-64 (.547) from the field overall, 8-of-22 (.364) from three and 8-of-11 (.727) at the line with a 41-22 rebounding advantage and 9 steals.
It marked the first 50-percent shooting effort surrendered by MSU since Dec. 10, 2022 (Oral Roberts), a span of 36 games.
The Bears finished 22-of-53 (.419) from the field, 4-of-22 (.182) from long range and 12-of-17 (.706) from the line with 15 turnovers and 8 steals.
In the first half, Bradley shot 52 percent from the field and out-rebounded the Bears by 13 to lead 42-28 at the midway point. Hannah ignited a decisive 11-0 midway through the opening stanza to turn a four-point game into a 28-13 contest less than two minutes later.
MoState whittled away before Clay’s three-point play at the 5:34 mark drew the Bears back within 33-24, but the Braves ended the half on 9-4 outburst to lead by a dozen at the midway point.
The Bears return home to Great Southern Bank Arena on Wednesday to host Murray State at 7 p.m.
