Box Score
HTML Box  |  PDF Box  |


PEORIA, Ill. – Bradley used a late first half run to pull away from Eastern Illinois in the opening game of the Jay Spoonhour era at EIU.  The Panthers fell 76-53 in their season opener at Carver Arena.

Bradley opened with a 7-2 run as Tyshon Pickett had two of his 16 first half points in the first minute and a half.  Pickett finished with a game high 23.

The Panthers found some offensive rhythm as Morris Woods hit a jumper on the baseline and Alex Austin sank a 3-pointer to knot the game at 7-7 at 16:11.  EIU then used an 8-2 run capped by a Josh Piper jumper as EIU led 15-9 at 13:24.

Will Egolf had a put-back bucket to spark a Braves 14-2 run as Bradley led 23-16 with 7:05 left in the first half. Alex Austin stopped the Bradley run with a bucket before Pickett scored six straight points.  Bradley led 38-22 at the half as they shot 58 percent from the field.

EIU cut the Bradley lead to 11 with a 7-2 run to open the second half.  Austin had five points getting a lay-up off a steal and draining a 3-pointer.  Austin finished with 13 points in his first collegiate game. 

Bradley slowly pulled away as Egolf added two more buckets including a 3-pointer.  The Braves led by as many as 27 points in the second half.  Egolf added 11.

EIU made a late 10-0 run with Austin and Austin Akers hitting back-to-back 3-pointers.  Woods opened the run with a driving lay-up as he finished with a team high 14 points.

EIU shot 35 percent from the field while Bradley shot 58 percent.  Bradley won the battle on the glass with 35-25 rebound advantage.   Woods had eight rebounds to lead EIU.  Pickett had eight rebounds for Bradley.

The Panthers host Wright State on Tuesday night for their home opener.  Tip off is 7 p.m. at Lantz Arena.