PEORIA, Ill. (Interstat) — Bradley used a commanding first half to defeat Illinois State 74-60 in a Missouri Valley Conference men’s basketball game Saturday at Carver Arena. A crowd of 10,542 saw the Braves build a 43-31 halftime lead and maintain control throughout. Jaquan Johnson led all scorers with 23 points for Bradley, which improved to 19-10 overall. Ahmet Jonovic added 14 points. Landon Wolf paced Illinois State with 12 points as the Redbirds fell to 18-11. Bradley’s defense forced 13 turnovers while committing only five and held a significant edge in assists and steals. The Braves shot 50.8% from the field despite making only 3 of 18 three-point attempts.

PEORIA, Ill. (Interstat) — In a commanding display of defensive pressure and offensive efficiency, the Bradley Braves avenged an earlier season loss by dominating the Illinois State Redbirds 74-60 in a Missouri Valley Conference men’s basketball game Saturday night before a crowd of 10,542 at Carver Arena. The game’s decisive stretch came early and set a tone the Redbirds could never overcome. Bradley, fueled by a stifling defensive effort that forced 13 Illinois State turnovers while committing only five, opened the contest on a 17-2 run. The Braves scored the game’s first five points before Illinois State’s Brandon Lieb registered a dunk for the Redbirds’ first points nearly three minutes into the action. Bradley then reeled off 12 consecutive points, a surge punctuated by a Corey Thomas alley-oop finish assisted by Jaquan Johnson and capped by a Timoty van der Knaap three-pointer. That initial burst established a double-digit lead that Bradley would never relinquish. The Braves led 43-31 at halftime and maintained a comfortable margin throughout the second half, answering every Illinois State push with a key basket to keep the lead in the teens. The most important part of the game was Bradley’s immediate and sustained defensive intensity, which crippled the Illinois State offense from the opening tip. The Braves recorded nine steals, led by Johnson and Alex Huibregtse, and converted those takeaways into easy transition opportunities. Illinois State managed only two assists for the entire game against 13 turnovers, a stark indicator of Bradley’s disruptive presence. The Braves’ offensive rating of 120.1 points per 100 possessions, compared to Illinois State’s 92.7, underscored the efficiency gap created by their defense. Bradley guard Jaquan Johnson, a 5-foot-9 junior from Milwaukee, led all scorers with 23 points, adding four assists. His penetration and playmaking consistently broke down the Redbird defense. He was complemented inside by 7-foot-1 center Ahmet Jonovic of Prijepolje, Serbia, who scored 14 points and provided a formidable rim-protecting presence with a block. For Illinois State, which fell to 18-11 overall, the offensive struggles were widespread. Landon Wolf of Cedar Falls, Iowa, led the team with 12 points, while Mason Klabo of Fargo, North Dakota, and Ty Pence of Saint Joseph, Illinois, each added 11. The Redbirds shot 41.5% from the field but were hampered by their inability to establish any offensive rhythm against Bradley’s pressure. Bradley improved to 19-10 overall and showcased a balanced attack. Van der Knaap scored 11 points, and Huibregtse, from Grafton, Wisconsin, contributed 10 points, three assists, a block, and a steal. The Braves dominated the interior, outscoring Illinois State in the paint and holding a 10-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. The victory marked a significant turnaround from the teams’ first meeting on Jan. 17, when Illinois State routed Bradley 88-62 in Normal. The Braves’ defensive performance Saturday night stood in direct contrast to that result, effectively neutralizing the Redbirds’ key scorers and controlling the tempo from start to finish. According to the National Statistical ELO system, Bradley entered the game with a 72.2% probability to win. The Braves lived up to that projection emphatically, using a game-opening blitz and relentless defense to secure the season split and solidify their position in the conference standings as the regular season enters its final stretch. Illinois State next plays at Northern Iowa on Wednesday. Bradley travels to face Illinois-Chicago on Tuesday.

Preview: Illinois State at Bradley in Key Missouri Valley Clash PEORIA, Ill. (Interstat) — A pivotal Missouri Valley Conference men’s basketball matchup with significant postseason implications is set for Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, as the Bradley Braves host the Illinois State Redbirds at Carver Arena. Both teams enter with identical 18-10 overall records, adding high stakes to the in-state rivalry. The game is a quick rematch of a Jan. 17 meeting in Normal, where Illinois State dominated in an 88-62 victory. Bradley will seek to avenge that loss and protect its home court. Illinois State arrives with momentum from a 78-61 home win over Murray State on Wednesday. The Redbirds have shown volatility, however, sandwiching that win between a 27-point road loss to Illinois-Chicago and a narrow home loss to Southern Illinois earlier this month. Guard Tyreek Coleman is the catalyst, coming off a 22-point, 4-assist performance against Murray State. Over his last five games, Coleman is averaging 15.2 points, though his scoring output has fluctuated. Bradley looks to rebound from a 79-72 road loss at Valparaiso on Wednesday. The Braves’ recent form has been mixed, with a strong overtime win over Belmont followed by a low-scoring defeat at Northern Iowa last week. Guard Alex Huibregtse leads the charge, scoring 22 points in the loss to Valpo. He has been a consistent offensive threat, averaging 18.1 points over his last seven contests, including a 29-point outburst at Drake. The contest features two teams battling for positioning in the crowded MVC standings. Illinois State’s offense, which exploded for 86 points in its last outing, will test a Bradley defense that has allowed an average of 73.3 points in its last three games. Conversely, Bradley will rely on Huibregtse and the support of Jaquan Johnson (14 points vs. Valpo) to penetrate an Illinois State defense that has been stout at times but surrendered 83 points in its recent loss to UIC. With the conference tournament approaching, this matchup serves as a critical tiebreaker and resume-builder. The Redbirds aim to complete a regular-season sweep, while the Braves are focused on defending their home floor and reversing the result from January to solidify their conference standing. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CST at Carver Arena.