PEORIA — Bradley paid tribute to the past, then took care of the present Saturday in a basketball game that was equal parts reunion and competition.
The Braves walloped SIU-Edwardsville, 80-55, before 3,685 at Carver Arena to win three straight for the first time in 24 games going back to mid-November of last season.
But it was a look further back that brought emotion to the stage Saturday, as SIUE coach Brian Barone and Bradley coach Brian Wardle shared the sideline as opponents.
Barone, the son of late former Bradley assistant coach Tony Barone, had his family behind the bench as BU delivered a pre-game tribute to his father on the videoboard and held a moment of silence.