By: Wichita State
WICHITA, Kan. — Wichita State junior Jessica Diamond scored a game-high
20 points Thursday, but the Shockers were unable to overcome a late Bradley
push in a 56-46 women's basketball loss at Charles Koch Arena.
The Shockers led by as many as nine points in the second half and held
a 44-42 lead with about 4:30 to play before the visiting Braves closed the
Missouri Valley Conference game on a 14-2 run.
Wichita State entered the game tied for second place in the Valley
standings and fell to 17-11 overall and 11-6 in the conference. Bradley (15-14,
6-11) evened the season series between the teams, as the Shockers lost a
third-straight game.
Diamond broke the 20-point barrier for the third time in seven games
and now sits just six points away from becoming the 18th Shocker to
reach 1,000 points for their career. Diamond added a game-high five assists.
Jazimen Gordon paced the Shockers with eight rebounds and four blocks Thursday.
Catie O'Leary had 15 points for Bradley and 10 rebounds.
A 6-0 Wichita State run capped by a Kelsey Jacobs' jumper gave the
Shockers a 14-12 lead with 8:19 to go in the first half.
A Jasmine Jones jumper pushed the Shockers ahead by three points with
less than six minutes remaining in the half and two free throws from Diamond extended
Wichita State to a five-point edge.
The Shockers brought a 22-19 lead into halftime, led by Diamond's nine
points and Gordon's seven rebounds.
A Molly O'Brien layup at the 12:41 mark extended the Shockers to a
nine-point lead in the second half.
The Shockers led 40-35 with 9:02 remaining in the game after a Diamond
three-pointer.
Bradley cut the lead to two points on a Latasha Hollingshed jumper with
six minutes remaining and tied the game 42-42 on a jumper from Kelsey Budd.
A 7-0 run by the Braves gave them a five-point lead with about two
minutes left in the game.
Wichita State missed four of its final six free throws and was unable
to convert four three-point attempts in the final 24 seconds.
The Shockers close out the regular-season at home Saturday, March 3
with a 2:05 p.m. game against UNI at Charles Koch Arena. The game will include
WSU's Senior Day celebration.
- Wichita State -
