Bruins Win Sixth Straight, Defeat Bradley 68-54 on the Road Sunday

PEORIA, Ill. – Propelled by strong interior play and four double-figure scorers the Belmont University women's basketball team won its sixth-straight game Sunday afternoon at Bradley University, 68-54. Moving to 9-3 in Missouri Valley Conference play and 13-10 overall, the Bruins overcame a sluggish start and outscored the host Braves (3-20, 0-12 MVC) 38-17 across the second and third quarters.
 
Junior forward Madison Bartley recorded her second double-double of the season and third of her career with a game-high 22 points on 10-for-20 shooting and game-best 12 rebounds. Junior guard Destinee Wells and sophomores Tessa Miller and Kilyn McGuff also reached double-figure scoring as Belmont used a strong second quarter to take control of the road game.
 
After falling behind by six in the opening quarter, the Bruins outscored Bradley 17-9 in the second quarter behind 53.8 percent (7-of-13) shooting before outpacing the Braves 21-8 in the third quarter.
 
Belmont limited the hosts to 35.1 percent (20-of-57) shooting, despite Bradley starting 8-for-15 (53.3 percent) from the field. The Bruins also forced 19 turnovers and turned the Braves' offensive miscues into 18 points.
 
Imposing its will in the paint, Belmont outscored Bradley 38-22 down low and outworked the Braves 41-35 on the boards.
 
Going 4-for-6 from beyond the arc in the first quarter, Bradley raced out to an 8-2 lead in the first two-and-a-half minutes of play. Also trailing by six at 12-6, the Bruins methodically worked their way back into the game and baskets from Wells and sophomore forward Kendal Cheesman got Belmont within two twice in the quarter.
 
The Braves led 20-17 after the first 10 minutes of action. Bradley's Caroline Waite scored eight in the first quarter and began 2-for-2 from outside.
 
The Bruins started 0-for-6 from long range and went 7-for-17 (41.2 percent) from the floor in the first quarter.
 
After the Braves went up 22-17 with a bucket in the first 15 seconds of the second quarter, Belmont put together a determined 9-0 scoring run. Ignited by a three-pointer from Wells, the Bruins took their first lead of the afternoon on a putback layup from forward Miller. A Bartley layup put Belmont ahead 26-22 three minutes into the second quarter.
 
Five consecutive Bartley points gave the Bruins a seven-point lead late in the first half and Belmont took a 34-29 advantage into the break.
 
Holding Bradley to 30.8 percent (4-of-13) shooting in the second quarter, the Bruins shot 46.7 percent (14-of-30) in the first half. Scoring nine in the second quarter, Bartley had 13 points by halftime and Wells was already in double figures with 10.
 
Belmont blew things open early in the second half, keeping the Braves scoreless for nearly the first four minutes while putting together a 9-2 run. A putback layup by Bartley gave the Bruins a 12-point lead before senior guard and Illinois native Nikki Baird cashed in a three to make it a 16-point game with four minutes to go in the third quarter.
 
An 8-4 stretch capped by a triple from guard McGuff gave Belmont its first 20-point lead of the day at 55-35 with just over a minute to go in the third. The Bruins led 55-37 through three quarters.
 
Allowing only three made field goals by Bradley in the third quarter, Belmont went 8-for-19 (42.1 percent) from the field and knocked down a trio of threes.
 
Another McGuff trey put Belmont ahead by 21 early in the fourth quarter. Following a vicious block by Wells on a three-point closeout, Miller drove down the lane for a layup that gave the Bruins their largest lead of the contest at 62-40 with 7:44 left.
 
Wells hit her fourth and final three-pointer with 4:18 left, keeping Belmont in front by 22 at 66-44.
 
After neither team scored for over 90 seconds of play, the Braves outscored the Bruins 10-2 in the final three minutes.
 
Both squads shot under 35 percent in the fourth quarter and Bradley outscored Belmont 17-13, going 5-for-6 at the free-throw line.
 
The Bruins finished 42.2 percent (27-of-64) overall and were 7-for-26 (26.9 percent) from distance. The Braves went 6-for-19 (31.6 percent) from outside the arc and were 8-for-9 at the foul line.
 
Wells scored 17 on 6-for-13 shooting, including 4-for-7 from three-point range, and dished out five assists. Miller nearly had her third consecutive double-double, posting 11 points on 4-for-4 shooting, grabbing eight rebounds, distributing a career-high tying five assists and making two blocks. McGuff also tallied 11 points and collected seven boards.
 
Bradley was paced by Waite's 15 points. The Braves also got 11 points on 4-for-6 shooting from starting guard Alex Rouse and a team-high 10 rebounds from starting forward Isis Fitch.
 
Of Note
After starting 3-7, Belmont has gone 10-3 over its last 13 games. The Bruins have held their last six opponents to 35 percent shooting or below and their last five opponents under 60 points. Belmont wins its first-ever matchup with Bradley and the Bruins' first-ever MVC game in Illinois. Belmont improves to 79-11 (.878) in February and March since 2016 and head coach Bart Brooks is 59-8 (.881) in the two key months since his arrival in Nashville. Bartley and Wells have reached double figures in seven-straight games. Bartley has led the Bruins in scoring for six-straight games.
 
Up Next
Belmont returns to the Curb Event Center next weekend, hosting Evansville Friday and Indiana State Sunday. Both games will be played across homecoming weekend.
 
Single game tickets are on sale. Click here to view available seating and purchase your seats.
 
For more information, call 615-460-BALL or visit BelmontBruins.com.
 
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