Shockers struggle in 62-59 win over Bradley

Wichita State guard Tekele Cotton, right, draws a foul from Bradley forward Mike Shaw during the first half Wednesday in Peoria, Ill. STEPHEN HAAS ASSOCIATED PRESS

PEORIA — Wichita State defeated Bradley for the 11th consecutive time Wednesday night at Carver Arena 62-59, but it was a struggle for the 16th-ranked Shockers.

Bradley (7-17, 2-9) outscored WSU 14-5 in the final six minutes. But Donte Thomas’ inbound pass with 4.6 seconds left sailed errantly over Auston Barnes’ head to end the BU threat.

The Shockers (20-3, 10-1) used an early 8-0 run to forge an 8-2 lead and a 35-22 halftime advantage. WSU led by as many as 17 points in the second half. Bradley pulled to within 39-34 five minutes into the second half after a Barnes 3-pointer, but the Shockers used an 11-2 spurt — keyed by two Ron Baker 3-pointers — to surge back to a double-digit lead.

Tramique Sutherland led BU with 18 points