Bradshaw Struggles, but Gulls Still Win

Gary Zarecky was in the middle of his post-game chat Saturday when he suddenly stopped talking. “How many did Kevin (Bradshaw) have?”

“Thirty-six,” came the reply.

“Geez,” Zarecky said. “And he had a bad game.”

Bad? Hey, Bradshaw had to work his way up to bad.

But the Gulls rallied around their star shooter’s worst half of the season and defeated Southern Utah State College, 109-97, after a 14-2 run late in the game. The victory broke a two-game losing streak as USIU reached the 100-point mark for the 11th time this season.

The Gulls (9-12) had plenty of chances to cave in with Bradshaw, the nation’s third-best scorer, in the throes of a bad shooting slump. Instead, guard Steve Smith and forward Paul Wilson rallied them.

Bradshaw was a dismal four of 19 from the field (21%) in the first half, and the Gulls still managed a 49-42 halftime lead.

SUSC (7-10) took a 31-29 lead with 6:45 remaining in the half, but Mike Sterner’s bank shot tied the game and started an 11-0 run.

Smith was the primary instigator, hitting a three-pointer on the Gulls’ next possession and following with three consecutive baskets, two on fast-break assists from Wilson. SUSC then scored the next three points to trail, 40-34, but Wilson popped in a three-pointer to give the Gulls a 44-34 lead, their biggest of the half.

“He’s feeling the pressure,” Zarecky said of Bradshaw, who finished 11 for 34. “He has a chance to win the national scoring title. His teammates know that, and they’re pulling for him.

“He was taking some good shots. I don’t believe in taking your shooter out of the game. Instead, we called a timeout and put in some plays designed to get Kevin to the free throw line. That’s where he gets his confidence back.”

With Bradshaw struggling, the Gulls could have panicked.

“At that point, the players have to realize that they have to get more involved,” Zarecky said. “And Kevin’s got to realize that he needs to get his teammates involved.”

As the second half got under way, none of the Gulls seemed to be involved. SUSC scored the first seven points to tie it, 49-49.

Smith then scored inside, and the Gulls went on a 9-2 run to take a 58-51 lead. SUSC stayed close and finally went in front again, 80-79, on a driving layup by William Allen with 8:38 remaining. Allen, who finished with a team-high 27 points, scored again to make it 82-81.

The Thunderbirds pulled within 91-90 with 4:24 left, but USIU then went on the 14-2 run to clinch it.

The key series came with 1:48 remaining and USIU leading, 99-92. Wilson took a fast-break pass from Smith and made the layup as he was pushed in the back by Kelvin Lee. The referee called an intentional foul. Wilson made both free throws, and the Gulls got the ball back. They made it a six-point play--and a 105-92 lead--when Bradshaw was fouled and made both ends of a one-and-one with 1:37 left.

“This was an important win for us,” Zarecky said. “Whenever Southern Utah caught up with us, Steve (Smith) took control.”

Smith finished with 25 points, and Wilson added 16 for the Gulls, who play at Air Force Saturday and then against San Diego State at the Sports Arena on Feb. 10.