PEORIA, Ill. — In a tightly contested matchup, Bradley emerged victorious against Illinois State, securing a 61-57 win on Saturday. Duke Deen played a pivotal role in this triumph, contributing 11 points along with six rebounds for the Braves, who improved their season record to 18 wins and 3 losses (9-1 in the Missouri Valley Conference).

Zek Montgomery also made a mark, scoring 11 points while struggling with his shooting—making 5 of 14 attempts, including a mere 1 for 5 from three-point range. He matched Deen’s effort on the boards, grabbing six rebounds. Christian Davis added to the team’s total with 10 points, showcasing an efficient performance by going 3 of 6 from the floor and hitting all four of his free-throw attempts.

On the opposing side of the court, Johnny Kinziger led the Redbirds with 16 points and provided five assists. Ty Pence and Malachi Poindexter supported with 12 and 8 points, respectively, but their efforts fell short.

At halftime, Bradley held a narrow 28-26 lead over Illinois State. Darius Hannah contributed six points in the first half, helping the Braves maintain their slim advantage. Coming out of the break, Bradley ignited a 12-0 run that allowed them to turn around a two-point deficit, extending their lead to 40-30 with just over 12 minutes to play. Montgomery added nine points after the intermission, solidifying the Braves’ victory.

Both teams are set to continue their schedules on Wednesday, with Bradley gearing up to host UIC and Illinois State facing Belmont at home.