January 21, 2006
Men’s Basketball
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SYCAMORES LEAD AT HALF, FALL IN THE END 85-63 AT BRADLEY

PEORIA, Ill. – Indiana State led after the first 20 minutes, but in the second half the shooting cooled and the Sycamores fell to the Bradley Braves in Peoria on Saturday 85-63. ISU was led by Jay Tunnell with 18 points while Bradley saw 18 points from seven-footer Patrick O’Bryant.

Indiana State carried the lead heading into the half for the second game in a row with a 40-35 advantage over the Braves. Tunnell led all-scorers in the first half with 13 points on 5-7 shooting, including three buckets from behind the arc.

Coming out of the break the Sycamores struggled to find their shooting touch, shooting 6-22 from the field during the half. Bradley, it seemed at times, couldn’t miss a shot and hit 19-28, including 4-6 from the three point line in the final 20 minutes.

The Braves were strong on the glass, out-rebounding the Sycamores 47-25 for the game on the strength of their big men. Bradley also showed their strength in the paint, outscoring ISU 52-12 close to the basket.

Indiana State junior Eric Gray made his first showing of the season and turned in 10 points and was the only other double-digit scorer for the Sycamores. Bradley logged a total of five players in double figures, with Lawrence Wright logging a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds.

The Sycamores will try to put a stop to their nine-game skid when they travel to Normal, Illinois to face Illinois State. Indiana State got the better of the Redbirds earlier in the year with a 69-59 win at home in the Hulman Center.