PEORIA, Ill. (Interstat) — A dominant third-quarter surge propelled the Bradley women’s basketball team to a 79-74 victory over Indiana State in a Missouri Valley Conference contest Sunday at Carver Arena.

The Braves, improving to 10-6 overall, trailed 37-34 at halftime but erupted for 27 points in the third period to seize control. The visiting Sycamores, who fell to 5-10, could not recover despite a valiant fourth-quarter effort.

The game’s pivotal shift came immediately after the break. Bradley, leveraging a more efficient offensive attack, opened the third quarter on a 13-2 run to turn a three-point deficit into a 47-39 lead. The Braves’ offense, which had sputtered at times in the first half, found its rhythm from beyond the arc and at the free-throw line during the period. They outscored Indiana State by 10 in the quarter to carry a 61-54 advantage into the final frame.

Bradley’s Tamia Perryman, a 5-foot-8 guard from Indianapolis, led all scorers with 20 points. She added five assists and three blocks, showcasing a two-way performance that anchored the Braves. Kaylen Nelson, a 5-10 guard from Tulsa, Oklahoma, also scored 20 points for Bradley, while local product Mya Wardle, a 5-7 guard from Peoria, orchestrated the offense with eight assists and 10 points.

Indiana State was led by Kennedy Claybrooks, who posted 16 points and 11 assists for a double-double. Jayci Allen, a 5-10 guard from Richmond, Indiana, contributed 14 points and nine rebounds, narrowly missing a double-double of her own.

Despite the loss, Indiana State won several statistical battles. The Sycamores forced 18 Bradley turnovers, converting them into 12 points, while committing only 14 themselves. They also dominated the offensive glass, grabbing 10 rebounds to Bradley’s two, which led to a 32-22 advantage in points in the paint. Indiana State’s defense was active, tallying 13 steals compared to four for the Braves.

However, Bradley’s superior shooting efficiency proved decisive. The Braves shot 52.2% from the field (24 of 46) and 45.8% from three-point range (11 of 24). They also capitalized at the free-throw line, making 20 of 26 attempts. Indiana State, by contrast, shot 42.2% overall (27 of 64) and was hampered by a lower possession count, scoring its 74 points on 75 trips while Bradley needed just 74 possessions to reach 79.

The first half was a tightly contested affair, featuring five ties and five lead changes. Both teams scored 19 points in an evenly matched first quarter, and Indiana State took a slim three-point lead into halftime after outscoring Bradley 18-15 in the second period.

Bradley’s third-quarter explosion ultimately created a cushion that withstood Indiana State’s late push. The Sycamores closed the gap to five points on multiple occasions in the final minutes, but timely baskets from Perryman and Nelson, coupled with critical free throws down the stretch, secured the victory for the Braves.

The announced attendance at Carver Arena was 902.

Bradley next travels to face Drake on Friday. Indiana State returns home to host Belmont on Thursday.