'Everyone was having fun': Series of dunks boosts Bradley basketball to big road win at Valpo

Dave Eminian, Journal Star

January 26, 2022 at 11:30 PM·10 min read

Bradley forward Rienk Mast dunks over a Valparaiso defender during BU's 71-56 victory in an MVC game at Athletics Recreation Center in Valparaiso, Ind., on Jan. 26, 2022.

Winning at Valparaiso has not been automatic for Bradley and coach Brian Wardle.

But it proved to be a slam dunk Wednesday as the Braves men's basketball team pounded Valparaiso into submission with a show of force above the rim on the way to a 71-56 Missouri Valley Conference victory at the Athletics Recreation Center in Valparaiso, Ind.

The Braves dunked six times in a span of 4 minutes, 48 seconds at the outset of the second half to maintain a 19-point lead and give Wardle the first two-game win streak of his coaching career at Valpo.

Thanks for coming, Valpo.

BOX SCORE: Bradley 71, Valparaiso 56 | STANDINGS: Missouri Valley

"That was like a special moment," said 7-foot-1 BU center Ari Boya, who finished that dunk run with one of his own. "Everyone was having fun and the bench was alive. I wanted to get mine, I was excited to get in there and get one.

"Malevy (Leons) had the best one, I think, dunked on someone. That was the best of the night."

Wardle's teams at Green Bay and Bradley combined for 10 straight losses as visitors at Valpo until his Braves won there in a rematch last season.

Their victory on Wednesday made it two straight for the coach for the first time. And it pushed the surging Braves to an 11-10 record and 5-4 in conference play.

"All road wins are good wins," Wardle said. "Proud of our guys maintaining the second-half lead. Kind of never really looked back.

"It was funny, we were getting a lot of dunks. Usually don't do that against Valpo. (Coach) Matt Lottich's teams are physical and good defensive teams. I think our ball movement and the spacing made it difficult on them. They wanted to guard the 3-point line a lot. It opened some things up for us on the dunks."

Leons dunked to close the first half with a 37-22 BU lead, during which the Braves' defense was suffocating. When Valpo tried to double guard Terry Roberts, he dished off to teammates for dunks.

When the Beacons tried to double Mast, Roberts made them pay with drives to the rim.

"Terry started passing the ball in the second half better, punishing them when they doubled him on ball screens and that opened up the lead for us," Wardle said. "He kind of closed it for us. He had six straight points to get us to 20 up or so at a key moment.

"And that's what you want from your point guard, they can close the game out for you."

Bradley forward Malevy Leons jams to build a big lead during BU's 71-56 victory in an MVC game at Athletics Recreation Center in Valparaiso, Ind., on Jan. 26, 2022.

By the numbers

The Braves shot 52% in the first half and held Valpo to 34.6%. At one point in the second half, the BU shooting touched 60%.

They soared to a 23-point lead with 5:25 left before missing eight straight shots as Valpo got back within 15.

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"I'm always nervous — good nerves — we have more experience now, we've been here," Wardle said. "We've had a lot of halftime leads and we've blown some. You go back on those experiences of why.

"In the second half you have to keep scoring. We were able to maintain that lead because we kept scoring. We wanted to limit 3s. That was huge key to the game and talking point at halftime. I didn't think they could get back in the game from posting up."

Mast ended up with 17 points and six rebounds in 27 minutes.

Roberts added 13 points, six rebounds and six assists.

Leons had 12, and Ari Boya continued his resurgence with a +20 effort in 13 minutes.

'It's a blessing to be here'

Boya played 13 minutes, had six points, four rebounds, three assists, a block and three steals. Yes, three steals, a career-high.

"Ari has been doing well," Wardle said. "We're using him at the right times and he's been very effective. Had some huge steals for us and some big plays to open that lead at halftime.

"He really ignited us on the defensive end in the first half. That was fun to see, the guys are so happy for him."

Said Boya, grinning broadly: "It's a blessing to be here right now. Last year (at Valpo) I was in a walking boot. Healthy two feet this time. I feel great. Last year I couldn't move after a game. Right now, no pain.

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"I start playing and feel like I can see everyone and do some things."

That statement right there is very important for Bradley. With senior forward Ja'Shon Henry injured, the Braves need Boya to fill the minutes Rienk can't.

Bradley guard Terry Roberts slashes to the rim for a layup during BU's 71-56 victory in an MVC game at Athletics Recreation Center in Valparaiso, Ind., on Jan. 26, 2022.

They said it

Bradley coach Brian Wardle, after the team finished the first half on the gas pedal and kept its foot there to start the second half: "We came out right away and started scoring, and that's a huge step for this group. We're still learning how to win. It's not a group that has a lot of experience going on long winning streaks and winning at this level and we got a lot of new guys playing a lot of minutes so we're learning how to win and learning how to execute and play smart. Even still, we can play better."
Wardle, on the team's growth in competing on the road: "It's hard to win on the road. I'm very proud of this team and where we're at, that we can get some road wins now. It started at UTEP for us. We're getting more and more confident on the road."
Valpo coach Matt Lottich: "We tried to go with a small lineup, and we just didn't execute very well with it on both sides of the ball."
Valpo center Ben Krikke: "They just brought the fight to us, kind of punched us first. Then late in the second half opened up a lead. We have to come out and throw the first punch, be the aggressors instead of just sitting back and taking it."
Lottich, on Bradley: "Bradley is a little bit like us, they've kind of been inconsistent. But I do think they are pretty good. Metrically, they are great. If you look at the advanced metrics, they are the third-best team in our league."

Bravely Speaking

Bradley now has won two straight games at Valparaiso after the home team in the series won the first 10 games. ... How hot is Rienk Mast? He's shooting 76.3% (23 of 30) in the last three games. ... BU center Ari Boya has 20 points in the last three games after scoring a combined 39 in the first 18 games. ... Valpo forward Thomas Kithier (back injury) did not play. Valpo guard Trevor Anderson (back strain) left the game. ... The Braves come home to Carver Arena to host Indiana State on Sunday. ... Valpo slipped to 10-11 overall and 3-6 in the Valley.

BU live updates

7:48 p.m.: FINAL: Bradley 71, Valpo 56

Rienk Mast finishes with 17 points and six rebounds. Terry Roberts with 13 points and six assists.

7:34 p.m.: Terry Roberts throwing daggers

Terry Roberts took over the game for a 66-43 lead with 5:18 left on this sequence: jumper, jumper, block a shot at the other end, layup.

Thanks for coming.

7:27 p.m.: Boya right back in

Ari Boya is OK, comes back into the game. Bradley still up 57-42 with 7:57 left in the game. BU shooting slips from 62.9% to 48.9%. Valpo, shooting 37% for most of the game, now up to 42.5%

7:23 p.m.: Boya sits down

BU center Ari Boya leaves the game after appearing to turn his ankle while trying to save a Bradley possession on a loose ball at midcourt. Bradley lead down to 57-42 with 9:02 left. Bradley, shooting 63% from the field earlier, has now missed eight straight shots.

7:13 p.m.: Bradley lead grows to 21

The Braves with five dunks and two layups in the first 6:04 of the second half to build a 53-32 lead. BU has fractured Valpo's defense. Beacons are doubling Terry Roberts, but he's sharing the ball and Bradley is shooting 62.9% from the field.

7:02 p.m.: Bradley lead grows to 19

Braves get a bucket from Leons and then another dunk from Leons for a 43-24 lead two minutes into the second half.

6:46 p.m.: HALFTIME: Bradley 37, Valpo 22

The Braves pushed their lead to 37-22 at halftime with a 10-0 run capped by a dunk from Malevy Leons with 4.5 seconds left.

Valpo went 0 of 4 with three turnovers during that stretch.

The Braves shot 52% from the field and 6 of 9 from 3-point range in the half. BU's defense held Valpo to 34.6% shooting and 2 of 9 from 3-point range.

Rienk Mast led all scorers with 10 points and added 3 rebounds.

6:37 p.m.: Bradley 33, Valpo 22

Bradley center Ari Boya with two steals, the latter to send Ville Tahvanainen for a breakaway layup and 33-22 lead with 1:39 left in the half.

BU then forces a shot-clock violation for second time in the later minutes of the half.

6:32 p.m.: Mast, Krikke duel with 8 each

Rienk Mast hits a 3 for a 27-18 with 5:23 left in first half. Bradley makes six of first seven from 3.

Valpo answers with a putback and two free throws from Ben Krikke to cut BU's lead to 27-22 with 3:54 left.

6:24 p.m.: Bradley opens 8-point lead

BU big man Ari Boya with a layup off a drive and pass from Terry Roberts for a 16-14 lead. Then Roberts hits a deep 3 for 19-14 at 8:53.

BU wing Jayson Kent hits a 3 at 8:09 for 22-16.

The Braves make a defensive stop and then Kent with a layup for 24-16 at 7:40 left, and that forces a Valpo timeout.

6:12 p.m.: Mast off to strong start

Bradley forward Rienk Mast hits a pair of layups and free throw in the first few minutes, while Connor Hickman's 3 gives BU an 8-7 lead at the media break with 14:52 left first half.

6:01 p.m.: Starting lineups

Bradley rolling with guards Terry Roberts and Connor Hickman, wing Jayson Kent and forwards Malevy Leons and Rienk Mast. Valpo has Krikke, King and Anderson among its starters.

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