TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (Interstat) — In a game defined by explosive perimeter shooting and a decisive third-quarter surge, the Bradley women’s basketball team secured a season sweep of Indiana State with an 85-75 victory on Saturday at Hulman Center.

The Braves, led by a dominant 30-point performance from Kaylen Nelson, used a 25-point third quarter to pull away from a persistent Sycamores squad. The win improved Bradley to 16-8 overall and in Missouri Valley Conference play, while Indiana State fell to 8-15.

The contest was a tale of contrasting efficiencies. Bradley’s offense, while not always crisp in its execution, proved lethally efficient from beyond the arc. The Braves connected on 13 of 25 three-point attempts, a 52% clip that ultimately served as the game’s primary separator. Indiana State, by contrast, managed just 4 of 16 from deep. Bradley also capitalized at the free-throw line, making 20 of 23 attempts.

Indiana State found success inside, outscoring Bradley 36-22 in the paint and grabbing nine offensive rebounds to Bradley’s three. The Sycamores’ effort was spearheaded by Amerie Flowers, who posted 9 points and 12 rebounds, and Clemisha Prackett, who added 9 points and 7 rebounds. Kennedy Claybrooks facilitated with 10 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists.

The first half was a tightly contested affair. Indiana State established an early presence inside, taking a 17-15 lead after the first quarter. Bradley’s offense found its rhythm in the second period, primarily through the playmaking of Mya Wardle and the scoring of Nelson. A late flurry by the Sycamores, including a three-pointer from Jayci Allen just before the halftime buzzer, kept Bradley’s lead to just 36-35 at the intermission.

The most important part of the game unfolded decisively in the third quarter. Bradley emerged from the locker room with heightened defensive intensity and an unwavering commitment to its offensive identity. The Braves opened the period with a three-pointer from Wardle, sparking a 13-5 run that gave them their first substantial cushion. Nelson, the 5-foot-10 guard from Tulsa, Oklahoma, was the catalyst, scoring from all three levels. Her back-to-back three-pointers midway through the quarter stretched the lead to double digits, forcing Indiana State into a timeout.

Bradley’s defense during this stretch successfully disrupted Indiana State’s interior-focused attack, forcing rushed shots and turnovers that fueled their transition game. While the Sycamores continued to battle on the glass, Bradley’s shot-making from the perimeter rendered that advantage less consequential. By the end of the third, Bradley had outscored Indiana State 25-18 to take a 61-53 lead into the final frame.

Indiana State made several pushes in the fourth quarter, closing to within six points on multiple occasions. Each time, Bradley had an answer, often from Wardle or Nelson. Wardle finished with 25 points and 4 assists, providing a perfect backcourt complement to Nelson’s scoring outburst. Maya Foz also provided crucial minutes off the bench, contributing 12 points.

The Sycamores’ final rally cut the deficit to 71-68 with under two minutes to play following a layup by Prackett. On the ensuing possession, Bradley expertly worked the clock before finding Nelson for a stepback jumper that pushed the lead back to five. After a defensive stop, Bradley sealed the game at the free-throw line.

For Nelson, the performance continued a stretch of high-level play. It marked her second 30-point game in her last four outings, following a 32-point effort in a win over Drake on Jan. 29.

Interstat’s ELO system had given Bradley a 77.4% probability to win entering the game, a projection the Braves fulfilled through superior outside shooting and a critical second-half run. The announced attendance at Hulman Center was 1,153.

Bradley next travels to face Evansville on Friday. Indiana State will look to rebound on the road at Northern Iowa on Thursday.