Braves tip ISU Sycamores, 60-59

TERRE HAUTE, IN (2-25-2004) - James Gillingham’s layup with eleven seconds left to play lifted the Bradley Braves past Indiana State, 60-59, on Wednesday (Feb. 25) at Hulman Center. The basket by Gillingham marked the first time all game the Braves held the lead. David Moss (Chicago, Ill./Thornwood HS) missed a jumper from inside the lane on ISU’s ensuing possession and Jerod Adler’s (Monroe, Ind./Adams Central HS) putback attempt was blocked by Marcellus Summerville to seal the win for Bradley.

Indiana State got off to a quick start, taking a 15-2 lead on a layup by Adler with 15:12 to play in the opening stanza. The Sycamores’ lead stayed in double digits for most of the first half, before Gillingham hit a three-point shot to cut the Trees’ lead to nine (33-24) at halftime.

The Sycamores (8-17, 4-12 MVC) built their lead to as many as 15 points (43-18) in the second half before the Braves began to chip away down the stretch, holding ISU without a basket the final 10:15 of the game. Indiana State held a one point lead (59-58) when Moss went to the line with 20 seconds to play. Moss missed both free throws, setting up Gillingham’s game-winning basket.

Eric Gray (Chicago, Ill./Thornwood HS) paced the Sycamores with 18 points, while Adler finished with a career high 17 points. Moss finished with ten points and a game-high six rebounds in the loss.

Gillingham posted a game-high 22 points, while Marcellus Sommerville added 13 points. Phillip Gilbert chipped in with eleven points for the Braves. Bradley ((14-14, 6-10 MVC) enjoyed a 36-14 advantage in the paint and outscored the ISU bench 14-10.

ISU returns to action on Saturday (Feb. 28) when the Sycamores close out their home schedule with a 3:05 p.m. (CST) game against Northern Iowa at Hulman Center. The game will be televised locally in Terre Haute by WTWO News Channel 2.

Indiana State will host a pregame ceremony at 2:00 p.m. (CST) in which the jerseys of Sycamore greats Duane Klueh (1946-49) and Larry Bird (1976-1979) will be officially retired.

The entire Sycamores' 2003-2004 men's basketball season will be carried live via Internet Audio streaming on USA-365.com. Brian Fritz calls the play-by-play and Jim Waugh provides the color commentary. Saturday's pregame shows start at 2:40 p.m. and the tip-off is at 3:05 p.m., CST / 4:05 p.m., EST.

Box Score