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Bradley grabs 2nd straight Missouri Valley Conference crown, earns NCAA bid | TribLIVE.com
U.S./World Sports

Bradley grabs 2nd straight Missouri Valley Conference crown, earns NCAA bid

Associated Press
Associated Press
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AP
Bradley’s Ja’Shon Henry (22) looks for an opening as Valparaiso’s John Kiser (left) and Eron Gordon (right) defend during the Missouri Valley Conference title game Sunday, March 8, 2020, in St. Louis.

ST. LOUIS — Darrell Brown scored 21 points, and Elijah Childs added 17 to lead fourth-seeded Bradley to its 10th NCAA Tournament with an 80-66 win over seventh-seeded Valparaiso in the Missouri Valley Conference championship game Sunday.

Ja’Shon Henry scored 16 points for the fourth-seeded Braves, Nate Kennell chipped in 14 points and Ville Tahvanainen added 10.

Javon Freeman-Liberty paced seventh-seeded Valparaiso with 22 points and 10 rebounds.

Bradley (23-11) claimed its fourth MVC title and became the ninth team in MVC history to defend its tournament crown

Valparaiso (19-16) led 48-42 with 14 minutes, 27 seconds left in the contest.

Bradley used a 7-0 run midway through the second half to go in front to stay, 56-51. Henry snapped a 51-51 tie with a fallaway jumper. Tahvanainen then drilled 3-pointer to push the lead to five.

The Braves were a 15th seed in last year’s NCAA Tournament and lost to Michigan State, 76-65, in the opening round.

Bradley’s 23 victories are the most since the 1993-94 team went 23-8 under coach Jim Molinari.

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Categories: Sports | U.S./World Sports
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