PEORIA, Ill. -- Missouri State shot just 31-percent from the field in the first half and was outrebounded 25-14 by the Bradley Braves, contributing to a sizeable 38-23 halftime deficit in Missouri Valley Conference play.

After Adam Leonard opened the game with a three-pointer for MSU, Bradley reeled off 14 of the games next 16 points to lead 14-5. The Bears closed the gap to 14-9 after a basket by Caleb Patterson and driving layup by Nafis Ricks at the 11:44 mark.

However, the Braves got hot again, helping them to a 51.6-percent shooting performance in the first half, as they manufactured a 10-2 run to lead 26-11 with just over eight minutes to go in the period.

Leonard would drop in another trey at the 6:38 mark to pull the Bears back within 29-18, but Eddren McCain scored the last two buckets of the half for BU to give the home squad a 15-point advantage at the half.

Missouri State was led by Leonard with six points, while Patterson added five. Taylor Brown had the hot hand for Bradley with 12 points, while Sam Maniscalco scored 7. Brown also has a game-high 9 rebounds, including three on the offensive end.

The Bears had just five turnovers in the first half, were 2-of-7 (.286) from three-point range and made 3-of-7 (.429) at the free throw line.

Bradley was 2-for-8 (.250) from three and 4-of-6 (.667) at the line with six first-half turnovers.