Bradley Braves Edge Evansville in Overtime Thriller
Tuesday, January 13, 2026, 8:00 PM ET · Ford Center
Bradley Braves 94, Evansville Purple Aces 90, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Bradley Braves vs Evansville Purple Aces?
Bradley Braves beat Evansville Purple Aces 94-90 at Ford Center on January 13, 2026.
Who was favored in Bradley Braves vs Evansville Purple Aces?
Bradley Braves were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -340 (about 77% implied). The favorite won.
In a thrilling overtime showdown, the Bradley Braves narrowly defeated the Evansville Purple Aces with a final score of 94-90 at the Ford Center. This victory marks Bradley's continued dominance over Evansville, having now won all three meetings between the two teams in the last two seasons.
Bradley entered the game with a solid away record of 13-6, showcasing a strong performance in recent games with an 8-2 record over their last ten outings. They averaged 80.3 points scored per game during this stretch, while allowing 71.3 points. Their recent form included a two-game winning streak, with their latest victory against the Northern Iowa Panthers on January 10, where they won 75-69. In contrast, Evansville struggled with a 5-14 overall record and had only managed to secure two wins in their last ten games, resulting in a record of 2-8. They averaged 64.8 points scored and allowed 72.2 points during this period, highlighting their defensive vulnerabilities.
The home team, Evansville, had a particularly tough time at home, with a record of 1-4 in their last five games at the Ford Center. Their last victory came on December 4, where they defeated the Ball State Cardinals 64-52. However, they faced a challenging schedule, suffering losses to several teams, including a previous matchup against Bradley on December 30, where they lost 68-76.
In terms of head-to-head meetings, Bradley had the upper hand, winning both encounters this season and last. The previous game on December 30 saw Bradley take a decisive victory, and Evansville was looking to turn the tide in this latest encounter. However, they were unable to do so, despite a valiant effort that extended the game into overtime.
Injury reports were not provided, but the absence of key players can often impact a team's performance significantly. Both teams were likely to have had their full rosters available, contributing to the competitive nature of the game.
The betting market, as reported by DraftKings, had Bradley favored by 7.5 points, with a total set at 142.5. The odds reflected the Braves' stronger season performance, but the close scoreline in overtime indicated that Evansville put up a strong fight, exceeding expectations.
The game conditions were typical for a mid-January evening, with a lively atmosphere at the Ford Center, which often plays a crucial role in home games. Fans witnessed a back-and-forth contest that showcased both teams' offensive capabilities, particularly in the overtime period.
Key moments in the overtime included a layup by Ahmet Jonovic, which tied the game at 87-87, followed by a series of free throws and crucial shots by Montana Wheeler and Alex Hemenway. Ultimately, the Braves managed to maintain composure in the final moments, securing their victory and further establishing their position in the league.
Overall, this game highlighted the competitive spirit of both teams, with Bradley continuing to assert their dominance over Evansville. The result not only reflects the current standings but also sets the stage for future matchups as both teams look to improve their performances as the season progresses.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | BRAD -7.5 | 142.5 o -112 / u -108 | Bradley Braves -340 · Evansville Purple Aces +270 |
Leaders
- PointsLeif Moeller26Evansville Purple Aces
- AssistsLeif Moeller6Evansville Purple Aces
- ReboundsAJ Casey6Evansville Purple Aces
- PointsJaquan Johnson35Bradley Braves
- AssistsJaquan Johnson7Bradley Braves
- ReboundsAhmet Jonovic12Bradley Braves
Recent form
Evansville Purple Aces
Last 10: 2-8Streak W164.8 scored · 72.2 allowed per game1-4 at home
- W72-69at Indiana State SycamoresJan 10
- L69-79vs Murray State RacersJan 8
- L48-62vs Northern Iowa PanthersJan 4
- L47-73at Illinois State RedbirdsJan 1
- L68-76at Bradley BravesDec 30
- L65-66vs Drake BulldogsDec 21
- L78-83vs Belmont BruinsDec 17
- L58-82at Notre Dame Fighting IrishDec 13
- L79-80at Western Kentucky HilltoppersDec 6
- W64-52vs Ball State CardinalsDec 4
Bradley Braves
Last 10: 8-2Streak W280.3 scored · 71.3 allowed per game1-2 away
- W75-69vs Northern Iowa PanthersJan 10
- W93-66vs Drake BulldogsJan 8
- L66-86at Murray State RacersJan 4
- L78-88at Belmont BruinsJan 2
- W76-68vs Evansville Purple AcesDec 30
- W73-69vs Southern Illinois SalukisDec 21
- W108-99at Indiana State SycamoresDec 19
- W86-53vs North Central College CardinalsDec 14
- W84-55vs Northern Illinois HuskiesDec 7
- W64-60vs Washington State CougarsDec 3
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belmont | 26-6 | - | 16-4 |
| Bradley | 21-13 | 3 | 13-7 |
| Illinois State | 23-13 | 4 | 12-8 |
| Murray State | 20-13 | 4 | 12-8 |
| UIC | 19-16 | 4 | 12-8 |
| Northern Iowa | 23-13 | 5 | 11-9 |
| Valparaiso | 18-15 | 5 | 11-9 |
| Southern Illinois | 16-16 | 6 | 10-10 |
| Drake | 14-20 | 10 | 6-14 |
| Indiana State | 11-21 | 12 | 4-16 |
| Evansville | 7-25 | 13 | 3-17 |
Box score
| Stat | Bradley Braves | Evansville Purple Aces |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 34-68 | 28-55 |
| Field goal % | 50 | 51 |
| Three-pointers | 6-22 | 11-24 |
| Three-point % | 27 | 46 |
| Free throws | 20-26 | 23-31 |
| Free throw % | 77 | 74 |
| Rebounds | 35 | 35 |
| Offensive rebounds | 11 | 8 |
| Defensive rebounds | 24 | 27 |
| Assists | 16 | 19 |
| Steals | 8 | 3 |
| Blocks | 3 | 2 |
| Turnovers | 6 | 15 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 19 | 9 |
| Fast-break points | 21 | 5 |
| Points in the paint | 48 | 26 |
| Fouls | 23 | 20 |
| Largest lead | 6 | 13 |
| Lead changes | 10 | 10 |
| Time in front | 35 | 55 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half62-56Jaquan Johnson makes layup
- 2nd Half62-57Bryce Quinet makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half62-60Bryce Quinet makes 24-foot three point jumper (Joshua Hughes assists)
- 2nd Half62-61AJ Casey makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half64-61Jaquan Johnson makes layup
- 2nd Half64-63AJ Casey makes 8-foot jumper (Leif Moeller assists)
- 2nd Half66-63Jaquan Johnson makes layup
- 2nd Half66-65Joshua Hughes makes 5-foot jumper (Leif Moeller assists)
- 2nd Half68-65Montana Wheeler makes 7-foot jumper
- 2nd Half68-66Alex Hemenway makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half68-67Alex Hemenway makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half69-67Jaquan Johnson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half70-67Jaquan Johnson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half70-69Joshua Hughes makes layup (Leif Moeller assists)
- 2nd Half70-70Joshua Hughes makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half72-70Ahmet Jonovic makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half72-73AJ Casey makes 24-foot three point jumper (Leif Moeller assists)
- 2nd Half74-73Demarion Burch makes layup (Jaquan Johnson assists)
- 2nd Half74-76Bryce Quinet makes 24-foot three point jumper (Leif Moeller assists)
- 2nd Half76-76Timoty van der Knaap makes layup (Jaquan Johnson assists)
- 2nd Half76-77Bryce Quinet makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half79-77Jaquan Johnson makes 24-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half79-78AJ Casey makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half79-79AJ Casey makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT81-79Montana Wheeler makes 15-foot jumper
- OT83-79Jaquan Johnson makes layup
- OT84-79Montana Wheeler makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT85-79Montana Wheeler makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT85-80Leif Moeller makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT85-83Leif Moeller makes 25-foot three point jumper (AJ Casey assists)
- OT85-85Leif Moeller makes layup
- OT85-87AJ Casey makes 3-foot dunk (Leif Moeller assists)
- OT87-87Ahmet Jonovic makes layup
- OT89-87Montana Wheeler makes 18-foot jumper
- OT90-87Montana Wheeler makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT91-87Montana Wheeler makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT91-90Alex Hemenway makes 25-foot three point jumper (AJ Casey assists)
- OT92-90Alex Huibregtse makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT93-90Jaquan Johnson makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT94-90Jaquan Johnson makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Evansville Purple Aces, below favours Bradley Braves.
Venue
- Ford CenterEvansville, IN
- Attendance4089
- OfficialsJohn St. Clair, Michael Greenstein, Antinio Petty
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