Bradley University (1-0) closed the game on an 11-2 run to give head coach Geno Ford a win in his Braves debut, 68-58, against UMKC (0-2) in the opening game of the Chicago Invitational Challenge Sunday evening at Carver Arena. Junior guard Dyricus Simms-Edwards scored a game-high 21 points, senior forward Taylor Brown added 20 in his return after missing the entire 2010-11 season for cardiac evaluation and sophomore center Jordan Prosser turned in his second career double-double by posting career-highs with 12 points and 17 rebounds. Bradley also got 12 points from junior reserve Jake Eastman. Bradley shot 44.9 percent (22-49) from the field and limited the Kangaroos to 36.7 percent (22-60) shooting. The Braves also had the advantage at the free throw line, sinking 22-of-33 attempts, compared to just 7-of-18 (.389) for UMKC. Bradley will return to action Wednesday by hosting Southeast Missouri State for “Throwback Night,” a 7 p.m. game at Renaissance Coliseum. The game against the Redhawks will be Bradley’s first regular-season game against a NCAA Division I opponent played on campus since 1982.
-Bob
