In what was a heartbreaking loss for the Braves and their fans, Bradley men’s basketball nearly clinched the first game of the NCAA’s March Madness against no. 2 seed Michigan State.
03/22/2019 1:03 AM
Excitement was high as Bradley took early control in the game on the strength of several crushing three-pointers, making 6 of 9 and leading 35-34 at halftime. They battled hard against the nationally ranked Spartans before dropping a 76-65 decision in a disappointing first-round loss at the East Regional in Des Moines, Iowa.
The Braves led by as many as six in the first half in a game that saw nearly 20 lead changes as fans and former players watched from the stands at Wells Fargo Arena.
Elijah Childs ’21 led Bradley with 19 points while teammates Darrell Brown ’20 and Dwayne Lautier-Ogunleye ’19 also finished in double figures, adding 17 and 14 points, respectively.
Although the Braves began the second half on fire, Michigan State held them scoreless from the field for more than five minutes before Bradley took advantage of four turnovers by the Spartans in five minutes. After an 8-0 run, they regained the lead at 51-50 before Michigan State’s offense settled. The Spartans were able to pad their lead when Bradley was forced to foul to try and get the ball back late in the game.
Bradley finished 12 for 18 on free throws while Michigan State was 25 of 26 from the line.
Famed Michigan State coach Tom Izzo told CBS after the game, “I give credit to Bradley. They played tougher than we did.”
This was Bradley’s first NCAA since 2006, when the team advanced to the Sweet 16. With a 20-15 record, the Braves won the Missouri Valley Conference championship for the first time since 1988 to gain the MVC’s automatic tournament spot.
— Bob Grimson ’81
The Braves led by as many as six in the first half in a game that saw nearly 20 lead changes as fans and former players watched from the stands at Wells Fargo Arena.
Elijah Childs ’21 led Bradley with 19 points while teammates Darrell Brown ’20 and Dwayne Lautier-Ogunleye ’19 also finished in double figures, adding 17 and 14 points, respectively.
Although the Braves began the second half on fire, Michigan State held them scoreless from the field for more than five minutes before Bradley took advantage of four turnovers by the Spartans in five minutes. After an 8-0 run, they regained the lead at 51-50 before Michigan State’s offense settled. The Spartans were able to pad their lead when Bradley was forced to foul to try and get the ball back late in the game.
Bradley finished 12 for 18 on free throws while Michigan State was 25 of 26 from the line.
Famed Michigan State coach Tom Izzo told CBS after the game, “I give credit to Bradley. They played tougher than we did.”
This was Bradley’s first NCAA since 2006, when the team advanced to the Sweet 16. With a 20-15 record, the Braves won the Missouri Valley Conference championship for the first time since 1988 to gain the MVC’s automatic tournament spot.
— Bob Grimson ’81
The Braves led by as many as six in the first half in a game that saw nearly 20 lead changes as fans and former players watched from the stands at Wells Fargo Arena.
Elijah Childs ’21 led Bradley with 19 points while teammates Darrell Brown ’20 and Dwayne Lautier-Ogunleye ’19 also finished in double figures, adding 17 and 14 points, respectively.
Although the Braves began the second half on fire, Michigan State held them scoreless from the field for more than five minutes before Bradley took advantage of four turnovers by the Spartans in five minutes. After an 8-0 run, they regained the lead at 51-50 before Michigan State’s offense settled. The Spartans were able to pad their lead when Bradley was forced to foul to try and get the ball back late in the game.
Bradley finished 12 for 18 on free throws while Michigan State was 25 of 26 from the line.
Famed Michigan State coach Tom Izzo told CBS after the game, “I give credit to Bradley. They played tougher than we did.”
This was Bradley’s first NCAA since 2006, when the team advanced to the Sweet 16. With a 20-15 record, the Braves won the Missouri Valley Conference championship for the first time since 1988 to gain the MVC’s automatic tournament spot.
