PEORIA -- Despite four Southern Illinois University Edwardsville players scoring in double figures, the Bradley Braves defeated the Cougars 74-62 in exhibition men's college basketball action at Robertson Fieldhouse.
         Anthony Jones led all scorers with 16 points, including four three-pointers. Doug Taylor and J.B. Jones added 14 points ech. Cougar newcomer Ryan Belcher scored 11.
         SIUE continues its exhibition schedule next weekend with a pair of Division I games. The Cougars travel to sister school Southern Illinois University Carbondale for a 1 p.m. game on Nov. 12 at SIU Arena. SIUE travels to Mackey Arena for a 5 p.m. game on Nov. 13 against perennial Big Ten power Purdue.
         On Thursday, SIUE held tight with Bradley in the first 15 minutes. SIUE led 26-25 with 6:15 to play in the first half on a layup by Belcher.
         Bradley, led by 14 points from Patrick O'Bryant, then took control by grabbing a seven-point lead by halftime. The Braves doubled up SIUE in the first six minutes of the second half and grabbed a 15-point lead at 13:12 on a free throw by Lawrence Wright.
         SIUE was plagued by 20 turnovers yet shot better from the field than Bradley. SIUE hit 22 of 48 shots for 45.5 percent. Bradley hit 30 of 66 shots for 45.5 percent.
         The Cougars also shot better from three-point range but were hurt by Bradley's offensive rebounding. Bradley outscored SIUE 23-1 on second-chance points.
        
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