Recap: Bradley vs. Evansville

Peoria, IL (Sports Network) - Dyricus Simms-Edwards scored 21 points to lead the Bradley Braves to a 76-70 victory over the Evansville Purple Aces in a Missouri Valley Conference clash at Carver Arena.

Walt Lemon, Jr. and Tyshon Pickett each netted 18 points for Bradley (14-10, 6-6 MVC), which has won two of three. Pickett grabbed eight rebounds and Lemon, Jr. handed out five assists for the home team.

For Evansville (13-11, 6-6), Colt Ryan poured in a game-high 27 points, his 11th game this season crossing the 20-point plateau. D.J. Balentine netted 13 points off the bench, and Ned Cox chipped in 10 points for the Aces, who have lost back-to-back games.

Even though Bradley outshot Evansville from the field in the first half, 51.7 percent to 44.4 percent, the Aces took a 33-32 lead into halftime by shooting 6-of-9 from the foul line. The Braves were just 1-of-2 from the stripe in the opening frame.

Bradley got hot after the break and led by 10 with just over eight minutes to play, but Evansville responded with a 19-9 run to tie the game, 70-70, on a Ryan 3-pointer with 1:33 left. Those would be the last points the Aces would score however, as the Braves ended on a 6-0 spurt as they held on for the win.

The difference was made at the free-throw line. Bradley shot 20-of-26 from the stripe, while Evansville was only 10-of-14.