Score one more upset for the underdogs as Bradley was able to pull off the upset Sunday afternoon against Pittsburgh.
Bradley got off to a strong start shooting the rock and they were able to lure Carl Krauser into two quick fouls less than ten minutes into the game. With Krauser on the court Bradley already had a 10-2 lead and when he went to the bench Bradley built an 18-6 lead.
With Aaron Gray, Levon Kendall and Krauser sitting on the bench because of foul trouble Pitt had a mini-rally to sneak back into the game and Pitt was able to cut the deficit to one point at 19-18 thanks to a 12-1 run.
Kendall, Gray and Krauser combined to shoot 4-8 and 10 points in the first half. Bradley’s Patrick O’Bryant outscored those three key Pitt players with his 12 points and 3 boards.
Krauser picked up his third foul less than two minutes into the second half and he found himself stuck to the bench for the second time today.
Pitt’s foul troubles continued when Aaron Gray picked up his third personal foul when he was nailed with a technical foul for spiking the ball into the ground. The play wasn’t out of anger at the officials call but game out of his frustration at how he was playing. Regardless, the refs gave him the technical as the ball went flying over his head.
Bradley went on a 19-4 run to pull ahead 53-39 with nine minutes remaining.
With the win on the verge of falling out of their grasp Pitt answered back with a 8-0 run of their own to pull back within six points at 53 to 47.
Pittsburgh was able to get to within seven points with a minute remaining but Bradley was a perfect 8 for 8 from the charity stripe in the final minute of the game to seal the win.
The difference in the game was Pitt’s inability to get to the charity stripe. The Panthers finished the game with only two free throws attempts while Bradley was 26 for 32 from the line.
Pittsburgh fans must have been shocked when star guard Krauser didn’t score until there was one minute left until the half. Krauser was unable to get into a groove throughout the game due to foul problems and an inability to play with his emotions in check. There was one play in the second half where he shoved a Bradley player and was lucky he didn’t receive a technical. Krauser finished the game with 17 points but his inability to take care of the rock cost Pitt (he had six turnovers and just five dimes).
The star for Bradley was sophomore forward Patrick O’Bryant. Despite his shooting woes in the second half O’Bryant finished the game with seven boards, two swats and a game high 28 points.
Date
Sun 03/19/06, 2:40 pm EST
Source
- HoopsAddict.com
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