Savannah White tallied a career-high 12 points Sunday afternoon as part of a balanced scoring effort for Indiana State, but the Sycamores were unable to overcome a slow start in a 65-52 defeat to Bradley inside Renaissance Coliseum
White also led the Sycamores with six rebounds and a career-high four assists, while Keslyn Secrist added 12 points off the bench. Mia Simpson scored in double-figures for the second straight game with 10.
Indiana State struggled from the field early on, hitting just three of its first 14 shots as Bradley opened up a seven-point lead after a quarter. The Sycamores clawed their way back within three early in the second but a scoring run followed for the home side as Indiana State faced a double-digit deficit at the half. Indiana State pulled within two possessions on multiple occasions in the last two quarters, using an inside and midrange game to inch closer. The Sycamores never got closer than five, though, as Bradley pulled away late.
First Half
White got the scoring started for the Sycamores with a layup, but the Trees struggled from the field until a pair of late 3-pointers from Queen Ruffin pulled Indiana State within four at 13-9. Ruffin’s pair of treys were the last baskets for the Sycamores in the quarter, though, as Bradley took a 16-9 lead to the second.
Five quick points from Secrist to start the second, along with a Davina Smith fastbreak layup, got the Sycamores within three less than two minutes into the quarter. Bradley followed with a 10-2 run, though, to extend its lead to double digits. Baskets from Secrist and Simpson pulled the Sycamores closer, but Indiana State faced a 34-22 deficit at the half.
Second Half
Two early baskets from Simpson in the third got the Sycamores on the right track, with Bella Finnegan adding a trey to make it 39-31. Secrist tacked on a jumper and Ruffin added a late basket, but Bradley closed the third quarter strong to lead 45-36 heading into the fourth.
Finnegan knocked down a midrange jumper early in the fourth, as Indiana State cut its deficit to 45-39. That was the closest the Sycamores got, though. A pair of three-point plays from White gave the Trees life, with Secrist adding a three-ball to trim the deficit down to 10. White and Simpson tacked on late baskets, but Indiana State’s comeback attempt fell short in a 65-52 setback.
News and Notes
- Savannah White’s 12 points and four assists were both career highs, with the junior forward scoring in double-figures for the first time in her career.
- Mia Simpson scored in double-figures for the second straight game and the third time in her last five games played.
- Indiana State continued to find production from its bench, with the Sycamores scoring 22 bench points in Sunday’s game.
- Indiana State took full advantage of Bradley’s turnovers, with the Sycamores scoring 16 points off 13 Bradley giveaways.
- Indiana State dished out 14 assists, the Sycamores’ second-most in a game this season. Seven different players had at least one assist.
Up Next
Indiana State opens a three-game homestand January 12 at 2 p.m. against Evansville.
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