In a Missouri Valley Conference thriller, Bradley University secured an 85-83 overtime victory against Murray State on Saturday night, capped by Darius Hannah’s dramatic buzzer-beating layup. Duke Deen fueled the comeback with 24 points, including six three-pointers, as the Braves extended their strong season record to 22-7.
Trailing 39-36 at halftime, Bradley leaned on Jaquan Johnson’s 12 first-half points to stay within striking distance. Deen exploded after the break, scoring 21 of his 24 points and sinking critical three-pointers. Hannah’s composure in the final play was extraordinary, said a courtside analyst. With seconds left in overtime, Hannah received an inbound pass, drove through traffic, and banked an underhanded shot as time expired.
Key contributors included:
- Christian Davis (17 points) and Jaquan Johnson (18 points) for Bradley
- Murray State’s Terence Harcum (22 points, 4 assists) and KyeRon Lindsay (17 points, 8 rebounds)
Bradley’s defense limited Murray State to 38% shooting in the second half, while the Racers’ AJ Ferguson added 15 points and two steals. The Braves now prepare for a pivotal road game against Valparaiso, while Murray State hosts Indiana State seeking to improve its 8-10 conference record.
This win solidifies Bradley’s position as a Missouri Valley contender,
With the NCAA Tournament looming, Bradley’s resilience in close games could prove decisive. Hannah’s heroics and Deen’s sharpshooting underscore a roster capable of deep postseason runs.