We are two games into the Braves 2023-2024 college basketball season, and the Braves are 2-0 after two overtime thrillers vs UAB and as recently on Saturday against Utah State. This win is massive for the Braves, as this Aggies team, who had a record of 26-8 last year, received an at-large berth to March Madness, receiving the #10 seed and losing in the first round vs Missouri.
While looking at the game, you see the Braves took away the win by a score of 72-66 in overtime, with Bradley being down 30-28 going into half while only shooting a mere 39% from the field, similar to the Aggies' shooting percentage of 38%.
In the second half, the Braves jumped to a seven-point lead but blew it as the second half ended with the score knotted at 62 all. As the trend was throughout the game, the Braves and the Aggies kept going back and forth up until 10 seconds left in overtime, with the Braves only being up 67-66. Future Missouri Valley Sixth Man of the Year Christian Davis shoots a corner three, and all you can hear is the swish of the nylon and the energy of a sold-out Carver Arena blowing up as Bradley goes up 70-66, putting the dagger into the Aggies' hopes of winning.
Davis ended up finishing the game with 13 points, shooting. 4-7 with five rebounds. Duke Deen had a cold performance, only scoring four points and shooting 0-6 from the three-point line. Malevy Leons has nine points and nine rebounds, but the hero for Bradley was guard Connor Hickman, who had a career night with 21 points, eight rebounds, and four assists, putting the Braves on his back to secure the win.
The Aggies were led by Osobar Great (fantastic name, by the way), who had 22 points and seven rebounds while shooting 7-11. Darius Brown ll had a respectable 13 points and eight rebounds but shot 3-12 from three, which is notable as neither team could get the three-ball going. Aggies shot 8-31 from the three-point line, while Bradley only went 5-24.
This was a statement win for the Braves as they have started the year beating the NIL champs and a March Madness team. Look for the Braves to keep the momentum going as they face Tarleton State to start the 2023 SoCal challenge on Tuesday. Go Braves!
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