Bradley used a late seven-point run to break open a close game as the Braves posted a 61-53 men’s basketball victory over Delaware Tuesday night at Carver Arena.

Bradley (2-0) led by just a point at 48-47 with 4:54 to play but Nate Kennell buried a three-pointer, Donte Thomas added a layup and Luuk van Bree hit two free throws to put the Braves up eight with 2:46 to play. The Blue Hens (1-1) could not get closer than six the rest of the way.

“Tonight was a tough, hard-fought game,” said coach Martin Ingelsby. “It wasn’t pretty at times, and both teams struggled to score. Credit Bradley, they were a little more hungry than us on both ends of the floor. They did a good job defensively taking us out of what we were trying to do. We have a lot to build off of. Our freshmen are getting good experience, and we have a lot to learn. We got some good looks tonight, but just couldn’t get them to fall.”

UD junior forward Eric Carter recorded game-highs of 18 points and 12 rebounds to notch his second consecutive double-double, while freshman Kevin Anderson contributed 15 points and eight boards. Anthony Mosley came off the bench to score 13 points, but the rest of the Blue Hens combined for just seven points.

van Bree paced Bradley with 15 points off the bench, while Darrell Brown scored 11 and Thomas grabbed 10 rebounds.

The Blue Hens got off to another solid start by taking an early 15-6 lead, but then converted just one basket over the next eight minutes. Bradley took advantage by going on a 16-2 run, surging in front 22-17 on a JoJo McGlaston three-pointer with five minutes left in the half.

Delaware countered with six consecutive points, but Bradley responded to take a 31-27 cushion into the break.

Delaware went down as much as eight at 38-30 but then scored nine straight points, going in front 39-38 on a Derrick Woods basket with 11 minutes remaining.

It was still just a one-point game six minutes later, before the Braves went on their pivotal run to take control.

College football

Welsey’s Manna gets weekly award: Senior linebacker Samer Manna was named to the D3football.com Team of the Week on Tuesday for his performance in No. 13/13 Wesley’s 31-14 win in the regular season finale on Saturday over Christopher Newport.

Manna produced 13 tackles, including seven solo, one and a half tackles for a loss, and a sack. He also forced two fumbles while also registering a quarterback hurry and a pass defended. The Wesley defense held CNU to 32 rushing yards on 28 attempts and caused three turnovers.

This is the second time this season that Manna earned a spot on the D3football.com Team of the Week. Manna was named to the Team of the Week on Sept. 26 after Wesley’s 66-0 shutout over William Paterson.

Manna is tied for the conference lead in forced fumbles (3) and tied for second in tackles (90).