Boxscore

PEORIA, Ill. -- The University of Evansville's attempt for a third road victory in the Missouri Valley Conference this season will have to wait.  The Bradley Braves (9-17, 3-12) won for the third time in the last four games here Saturday night, beating Evansville (14-11, 8-7) 68-54.  UE is now fifth in the MVC, one game behind third place Indiana State and Northern Iowa, and one-half game ahead of sixth place Creighton.

The Aces return home to Roberts Stadium Tuesday to play first place Wichita State at 7:05 CST.  It's the next-to-last men's game in Roberts Stadium history, leading up to the finale Feb. 26 against Illinois State at 2:05.

Bradley scored 12 consecutive points in the first half to go ahead 28-19 before Colt Ryan hit a three-pointer, Ned Cox scored on a layup, Kavon Lacey hit two free throws and Clint Hopf added one free throw to cut the Braves' lead to 28-27.  Bradley took a 32-29 lead into halftime, and extended it to nine at 44-35 on Andrew Warren's three-point play.  Evansville made a mini-run, trailing by six at 48-42 on Lewis Jones' bucket with 12:25 to go.  That's as close as Evansville could get, however.  The Braves upped their lead to 65-48 and then kept UE in check with a strong man-to-man defense to clinch the victory. The 54 points were Evansville's fewest since a 65-50 loss at Missouri State Jan. 7.

Colt Ryan led Evansville with 14 points and Jones added nine.  Sophomore Dyricus Simms-Edwards scored 25 for the Braves, the most by an MVC opponent against the Aces this season.  Warren added 17.  Bradley hit 25 of 56 shots for 45 percent.  Evansville was 19 for 48 for 40 percent.  The Braves had a 41-29 rebounding advantage, and 12 of the 41 were offensive rebounds.