Bradley Braves basketball emerged from an epic battle with Indiana State in their Missouri Valley Conference opener Thursday with an array of emotions worthy of a game that took a high place in the program’s history.
Bradley beat Indiana State, 108-99, in three overtimes at Hulman Center in Terre Haute, Ind.
The game was tied for the second-longest in Bradley’s program history. It also marked the first time ever the Braves have won a game that went three OTs or more.
“It’s up there, not going to lie,” said Bradley fifth-year guard Alex Huibregtse, when asked where this game will rank with others in his long college career. “I can’t give you a number off the top of my head, but it’s up there for sure. It’s top five.”
The Braves got the 1-0 Valley start they were looking for. And they got a piece of program history, too. “We’re a team full of fighters,” Bradley freshman Montana Wheeler said. “We’re a team full of believers.”
Longest games in Bradley basketball history
Here is a look at the longest games in Bradley Braves men’s basketball program history:
7 OTs: Cincinnati 75, at Bradley 73, coach Dick Versace, Dec. 21, 19813 OTs: Bradley 108, at Indiana State 99, coach Brian Wardle, Dec. 18, 20253 OTs: at Missouri State 80, Bradley 77, coach Geno Ford, Feb. 25, 20153 OTs: at Arizona 85, Bradley 83, coach Chuck Orsborn, Feb. 3, 1965