EVANSVILLE, Ind. (Interstat) — A surging Bradley team will look to continue its climb in the Missouri Valley Conference standings when it visits struggling Evansville on Friday afternoon at Ford Center. The Braves (16-8, 9-4 MVC) have won seven of their last nine games, including an 85-75 road victory at Indiana State last Saturday. They are led by the hot hand of guard Kaylen Nelson, who erupted for 30 points and seven rebounds in that win. Nelson has scored 20 or more points in four of her last eight games, averaging 20.4 points per contest over that stretch. Her backcourt partner, Mya Wardle, added 25 points and four assists against the Sycamores, giving Bradley a potent offensive duo. The Purple Aces (6-18, 3-10), meanwhile, are looking to halt a skid that has seen them lose 10 of their last 13. They are coming off a narrow 65-68 loss at Illinois-Chicago, a game in which they led by 10 points in the third quarter. Forward Breaunna Ward has been a bright spot, nearly posting a triple-double with 17 points, nine rebounds and five assists in that contest. She is averaging 13.3 points and 6.3 rebounds over her last four games. The matchup presents a stark contrast in momentum. Bradley’s recent success has been built on efficient offense, scoring 79 points or more in five of its last six wins. Evansville has struggled with consistency, particularly in closing games, with four of its last five losses coming by single digits. Bradley won the first meeting this season, 79-39, in Peoria on Jan. 23. Nelson scored 21 points in just 21 minutes in that rout. The Braves have dominated the recent series, winning 13 straight against the Purple Aces. For Evansville to spring the upset at home, it will need a major defensive effort to contain Nelson and Wardle, while finding more scoring support for Ward. Bradley aims to avoid a letdown against a conference cellar-dweller as it pursues a top seed for the upcoming MVC tournament. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. EST Friday.