Final score: Bradley wins! Bradley 54 Loyola 53

[Da Coach]

Game story from BradleyBraves.com

http://www.bradleybraves.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=3400&ATCLID=210634293

[Da Coach]

over the past FOUR years we had just 3 road wins in the MVC in 36 road games.... 3 in 36!!

Wardle has already 1 road win in his first three MVC games..... 1 in 3 with essentially nothing but a desperately arranged group of freshmen!
Congrats to Coach Wardle - Go Braves!!!

Geno did not win a single road MVC game his first season (2011-12), and in fact was 1-12 on the road that year with the only win being at George Washington.
His first road MVC win was his 2nd season at SIU, and that was the only road MVC win he had that entire season. He also won at Loyola in year 3, and Evansville in year 4 for the only 3 road MVC wins in those 4 years.

[Da Coach]

From the PJ Star and AP- the game-winning shot by Donte Thomas

[tornado]

wonder if this game had been at Carver would fans have rushed the court ....nahhh we are not ISU

[bradleyfan124]

Bradley in the past games this year had a lot of mistakes not due to the other team. Double dribble, bounce the ball off the foot, etc.. They had fewer of those tonight..that is progress

[BUspartan]

Mannn Loyola had a three great looks inside the paint to win it. Glad they didn't fall!

[bigjimmy]

What a way to get their first MVC win of the year. Didn't get to listen or watch much of it due to work and garage door issues but what I did see I liked. Barker looked like he should look against shorter guys, double digit assists and less turnovers and we came through at the end of a half for a change. The guys have always played hard and they were finally rewarded. That bus ride is going to feel good tonight.

[Da Coach]

...That bus ride is going to feel good tonight.

Yes, it is. I just got a text from one of the Bradley athletic department people who's there. He says, "Feels great... Coach and boys really happy in the locker room..."

The trip back will be enjoyable.

[Chico]

wonder if this game had been at Carver would fans have rushed the court ....nahhh we are not ISU

I bet all 10 of our students in attendance would have stormed the court.

[tornado]

would have been hard to hold them both back!

remember - for most of the past year-- Loyola has been one of the CONTENDERS in the Valley

http://www.todaysu.com/around-the-u/contenders-growing-missouri-valley-conference/

we are only one game out of that #6 seed and NOT having the play on Thursday since forever

[lefty]

I still can't stand our "walk-it-up-the-court" offense.

I wonder if that's to just limit possessions and not get into foul trouble any sooner than we already do.

[Da Coach]

A short video that most here will appreciate-

http://www.mvc-sports.com/multimedia/video/2015-16/8558/mens-basketball-bradley-54-loyola-53/#.Vpfi-fkrLIV

[pfcmsh]

Nice win for the Braves on the road.....thanks to Milton Doyle for missing both FT's to give the Braves a chance......Barker was tough on the boards! Van Bree hit some nice open shots......and best of all porter moser gets handed a loss!

Yes, it was a great game to watch!

I was at the game 1 row back from Dave Snell closer to center court than he was. The arena is much smaller than Carver. I bet there were less than 300 people in there. Lots of red. Parking ramp was close by and a cinch.

Bradley played hard the whole game and never quit. I noticed Bradley dominated them on the boards, but didn’t defend the base line too well. Loyola was smaller and faster. They looked more athletic than us, but we had some athletic moments as well.

Coach Wardle was really coaching them! He was visibly dismayed at the unforced turn overs. He would look down, shake his head and put his hands on his hips. He was really coaching and I could hear it all! As the 1st half went on, I thought, hey, we are in this game! We were closely behind at half time. I was a little in disbelief.

During the 2nd half. we got cold. We fell behind by 11 and I thought, here we go again, but, we stayed in it and clawed our way back. The ending was very exciting. DLO made a great pass to Donte, who drained a 3, his only points of the night. Bradley fans were jumping up and down. It got crazy. Loyola missed 3 good looks around the rim and Barker finally grabbed the ball as time wound down. Great finish. The Baby Braves went into a pile at center court. It felt great!!

We had better percentages than Loyola in FGs, 3FGs FT. Still too many turnovers and fouls, but both down compared to season averages. Although Loyola is struggling too, we finally won a game. I hope that this helps the Braves to believe!! Great game to watch.

[pfcmsh]

I wonder if that's to just limit possessions and not get into foul trouble any sooner than we already do.

You might be onto something. I saw the game in person. I wonder if it might be to stay in control and play within our confidence level also? We did have several shot clock violations and I wonder if we are trying to play slow to stay in control?

[lefty]

You might be onto something. I saw the game in person. I wonder if it might be to stay in control and play within our confidence level also? We did have several shot clock violations and I wonder if we are trying to play slow to stay in control?

I know BW doesn't want the guys to pass up any open shot....I've heard him yell plenty for guys to shoot the ball even when early in the shot clock.....but we have struggled with foul trouble virtually every game so that's why I thought it was possibility