By Jayden Hodgson and Josiah Ulrich

Bradley frustrated by rivals, Illinois State University (ISU), on senior day. The Braves endured a tough 53-41 loss in which they shot thirty-seven percent from the field and seven percent from three.

Bradley had a very good first half against rivals ISU but faded in the second half. Bradley got out to a fast start, led by freshman guard Gabbi Haack. Haack and guard Madison Dellamuth both hit a couple of shots that got the team rolling. ISU stayed in the game with some timely scoring from their guards and good play done low by their power forward Simone Goods. The second quarter got off to a very good start as Bradley extended their lead to seven 18-11. In the second quarter sophomore, Chelsea Brackmann had the scoring touch, scoring six of her team-high ten points. This carried the team for while as they extended their lead to 24-18 at halftime. The Braves ball movement propelled them to a halftime lead.

The second half got off to an abysmal start for the Braves. ISU started on a 15-0 run in the second half lead by  Goods, scoring 14 of her game-high 25 points in the second half. Katrina Beck was the catalyst for the Redbirds as she pushed the tempo and was able to feed Goods down low. Beck finished with six assists and ten points.  Bradley ran sets to try and get senior guard, Anneke Schlueter, a basket for her 1,000-career points. Schlueter was not able to pick up a basket until late in the fourth quarter when the game was out of reach. The offense stalled, and the Braves were not able to get a rhythm. Lightly used senior guard Kellee Clay got the crowd cheering very late with a steal and layup.

Bradley will be disappointed that they did not put the game out of reach in the first half. They had several chances to push the lead to eight or ten as they missed key baskets at key moments in the game. The effort was there but the ability to make baskets was not.

Before the game, Bradley honored five seniors for their work and dedication to the program. Showing how their work had made Bradley a better place on and off the court. All five seniors saw action in the final home game of their careers. The seniors were paced by leader Danielle Brewer, with seven points.

Traditionally senior night is very emotional for the players and this could have had a big effect for the Braves. With two key players graduating, Schlueter and Brewer, this could have been one of the reasons the Braves struggled.