Missouri State had two second half possessions down 47-45, but could not convert on the offensive end in an effort to hold off a steal-happy Bradley team on its home floor, falling 71-60, in Peoria.
 The Braves collected 13 steals, the most by a Bears’ opponent this season, and forced 18 MSU turnovers, the second-highest turnover total for Cuonzo Martin’s squad in 2008-09.
 The Bears (10-17, 3-13 MVC) got 15 points and five rebounds by Kyle Weems, including 11 in the second half, to lead the way. Weems recorded his sixth straight double-figure scoring game.
 Bradley (15-12, 9-7 MVC) got 17 points apiece from Theron Wilson and Sam Maniscalo. Maniscalo had two clutch second-half three-pointers, and Wilson had a game-high five steals.
 After trailing 39-33 at the half, the Bears surrendered the first four points of the second half to fall behind by 10. MSU called timeout and outscored Bradley 16-9 over the next 11 minutes, collecting numerous defensive stops with a greater defensive effort.
 However, it was a three-point play by Wilson at the 7:08 mark that turned a 52-49 game into a 55-49 Bradley advantage, and the visitors would get no closer than seven the rest of the way.
 The Bears shot 45.8 percent from the field on 22-of-48 shooting and converted 7-of-21 three-pointers to go with a 90-percent effort (9-of-10) from the charity stripe. The Bears also outrebounded the bigger Bradley squad, 32-25.
 Cardell McFarland had 11 points, all in the first half, for the Bears on 4-of-5 shooting, including a trio of three-pointers, while Chris Cooks contributed seven points, all in the first 20 minutes.
 A 14-4 Bradley run during a five-minute stretch late in the first half helped the Braves build a 39-28 lead after a three-pointer by Taylor Brown with 1:59 to go in the half. However, the Bears answered with a three-pointer by Spencer Laurie and a pair of free throws by Chris Cooks to pull within 39-33 at the break..
The Bears will try to snap a four-game losing streak when they return to action Saturday night at Tennessee-Martin (18-6) at 6 p.m. in the ESPNU BracketBusters game.
