EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Ray'Sean Taylor's over-the-shoulder shot went down just after the buzzer Tuesday and Bradley escaped with a 56-54 win over SIUE in front of 1,516 at First Community Arena.
Taylor's shot came after an inbounds play from the opposite end. A long pass from Shamar Wright was tipped, before coming to Taylor. The shot was reviewed, but ultimately was ruled to have been late.
The loss snapped SIUE's winning streak at six games. The Cougars are 7-3. Bradley extended its winning streak to four games and also is 7-3.
"It was a heck of a college basketball game," SIUE Head Coach Brian Barone said. "It's one that this community and this arena should get used to seeing.
"The fan support tonight was awesome. It means a lot," Barone continued. "When you go into an arena like that in a game like that, it helps. I want to thank the community for coming out."
Taylor's shot put the exclamation on a chaotic finish. Bradley led 55-50 with 1:07 to play. Damarco Minor made a pair of free throws with 55 seconds left to cut the SIUE deficit to 55-52. A block by Terrance Thompson helped the Cougars force a shot clock violation to take the ball back with 25 seconds left. SIUE tried to get an open three, but settled for a layup by Shamar Wright with just seven seconds left for a 55-54 score. The Cougars forced another turnover on the ensuing possession. Bradley turned the ball over again on ensuing inbounds play, but a scramble in the lane resulted in a foul. Connor Hickman hit one free throw and missed the second. Shamar Wright grabbed the rebound and called timeout, setting up the final play.
Bradley's win capped off a comeback for the Braves, who trailed SIUE by eight at halftime. The Braves used a 9-0 run to gain the lead.
"The game was tough," Barone said. "We came out of halftime up eight, turn it over three times, miss a couple of free throws and the game changes right away. You can't do that against a team like Bradley, who I think will be one of the top teams in the Missouri Valley Conference this year."
After shooting 54 percent (13-24) from the field in the first half, SIUE shot just 33 percent in the second half. SIUE turned the ball over 16 times.
Shamar Wright and Jalen Hodge each scored 11 to pace the Cougars' offense. Hodge was 3-4 from three-point range. Lamar Wright and Damarco Minor added nine points apiece.
"Even though we're not the biggest team we have a lot of fight in us and that's what we hang our hat on," Shamar Wright said.
Darius Hannah, Rienk Mast and Hickman each score 12 points to lead Bradley.
SIUE will face a second straight Missouri Valley opponent in Illinois State Saturday in Normal, Illinois.
"We had an opportunity to come away with the win based on everything that took place," Barone said. "Ultimately, you have to continue to grow in games like this. These guys have worked multiple years to be in a game like that and now you bounce back and get ready for the next one."
