Playing its lone home game in a five-game stretch Thursday evening at the ARC, the Valpo women's basketball team dropped an 80-44 decision to visiting Bradley. Kayla Preston (Omaha, Neb./Millard North) enjoyed her best game of the season for the Beacons, finishing with 15 points and six rebounds.
 
How It Happened

• It was a slow start for the Beacons, who scored just four first-quarter points. The Valpo defense did force six Bradley turnovers in the opening period, as the Braves' lead was just 14-4 through 10 minutes.
• Valpo was still within 13 at 24-11 with 6:37 to play in the second quarter after a 3-pointer from Preston, but Bradley scored nine in a row to pull away past the midway point of the period.
• Bradley ended up connecting on six triples in the second quarter and led 40-15 at intermission.
• The Beacons shot 6-of-9 from the floor in the third quarter, but eight turnovers prevented them from putting a dent into the Bradley advantage, as the Braves led 65-32 with 10 minutes remaining.

 
Inside the Game

• Preston finished with 15 points, her career best against a D-I opponent, on 4-of-6 shooting from the field and 6-of-8 from the foul line. The junior's six rebounds were a team high and a career best as well.
• Preston was the lone Beacon to finish in double figures, as Valpo's next leading scorer was Fiona Connolly (South Burlington, Vt./Brewster Academy [La Salle]), who finished with nine points and five rebounds.
• Mikayla Huffine (Rockford, Ill./Rockford Lutheran [Quincy/Iowa Western C.C.]) tied her career best with three steals.
• Valpo shot at a 32.1% clip from the floor and was just 2-of-16 from 3-point range, tying its season low for made 3-pointers. Meanwhile, Bradley shot 48.4% and was 11-of-28 from deep.
• The Beacons did grab 11 offensive rebounds and turned them into 15 second-chance points, while limiting Bradley to just five second-chance points on 12 offensive boards. Valpo also narrowly trailed Bradley in points in the paint, 30-28.

 
Next Up
Valpo (0-16, 0-5 MVC) continues Valley play with a quick turnaround on the road Saturday, as the Beacons head to Southern Illinois for a 2 p.m. tip.