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Bradley squeezes past Providence in overtime

Mar 15, 2007 - 3:37 AM PEORIA, Illinois (Ticker) -- Bradley got its second wind in overtime and took the air out of Providence.

Will Franklin scored 23 points to lead five players in double figures as the fourth-seeded Braves outlasted the fifth-seeded Friars, 90-78, in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament.

Tied at 78-78 after regulation, Bradley (22-12) was just about perfect in the extra session. The Braves hit all four shots from the field and were 8-of-9 from the free-throw line to dispatch Providence in the North Region.

Conversely, the Friars (18-13) shot a dreadful 1-of-10 in overtime and made just 2-of-5 foul shots.

J.J. Tauai finished with 17 points and 17 rebounds and Daniel Ruffin added 15 points, including 9-for-9 at the free-throw line to help Bradley finish 27-of-32 at the stripe. Ruffin also had five of the Braves' 17 steals.

Providence wasted huge performances from Weyinmi Efejuku, who scored 28 points, and center Herbert Hill, who added 19 and 14 rebounds.

Bradley will play at top-seeded Mississippi State in a second-round game Saturday night.