The Bradley University Braves outscored the Maine Black Bears 43-17 in the second half on Saturday afternoon, pulling away for a 71-39 non-conference men’s basketball win at Carver Arena in Peoria, Illinois.
Maine (2-4) had an early 7-2 lead, but a dunk in the paint by Ja’Shon Henry just over halfway through the first half gave Bradley the lead for good. The Braves led by as many as nine late in the first half, before a three-pointer by the Bears Kristians Feierbergs with five seconds to go pulled the guests within 28-22 at the halftime break. It was all Bradley (2-5) in the second half, leading by as many as 34 and shooting 57% from the floor in the game including 11-20 from three-point range (7-11 in the second half). Maine was just 29% for the game, 2-16 (12.5%) from long range.
Peter Filipovity was the only Black Bear in double figures with 11 points. Malevy Leons led Bradley out of the Missouri Valley Conference with 21 points, Henry had 15, and Rienk Mast had 11 points and 11 rebounds. Maine returns to action next Saturday when they travel to Columbia University to battle the Lions at 2 p.m.
