A slow first half offensively and an all-around bad night defensively doomed the Missouri St. Bears to an 86-76 loss on the road at Bradley.

The Braves shot 58.5 percent on the game and hit 60.7 percent in the first half. Meanwhile, the Bears made only 34.4 percent of their shots over the first 20 minutes and trailed 39-25 at the half.

MSU’s inability to hold on to the ball did them in on Wednesday night. They committed 20 turnovers, which the Braves converted into 28 points. Bradley wasn’t much better in the turnover department, with 19, but MSU scored just 15 points off BU’s miscues.

Bradley senior guard Marcellus Sommerville and sophomore center Patrick O’Bryant scored 17 points apiece, while Tony Bennett and Daniel Ruffin both scored 13 for the Braves. Blake Ahearn scored 20 points for MSU.

Missouri St. is now 12-6 on the season and 5-5 in the Missouri Valley Conference and Bardley is 11-7 and 5-5.