PEORIA -NIU coach Rob Judson’s opening statement in the post-game press conference was only two words: “Phillip Gilbert.”

The impression Bradley’s senior guard made was so great it prompted Judson to continue: “Might be my ending statement, too.”

That’s because the preseason Co-Player of the Year in the Missouri Valley Conference scored a game-high 22 points, grabbed five rebounds and had four assists in Bradley’s 76-67 non-conference win over NIU on Saturday night in Carver Arena at the Peoria Civic Center.

Bradley improved to 12-5 this season in the 17 games Gilbert has played. The Braves also are 5-2 in the seven games Gilbert has played after he missed 10 games in the middle of the season with a stress fracture in his left foot. He was the Missouri Valley Conference’s leading scorer at the time of his injury.

“The guys had confidence in me to knock down shots,” Gilbert said. “I’m starting to just play and not worry about the foot.”

Gilbert’s signature moment came with 10:16 remaining in the first half after a time-out.

After Bradley inbounded the ball on its own end, guard Marcello Robinson lobbed the ball toward the hoop to a cutting Gilbert. The senior jumped and caught the pass off the right side of the rim and dunked the ball to complete the alley-oop.

“It’s a play we run all the time in practice,” Gilbert said.

During the time-out, Bradley coach Jim Les said he noticed the NIU zone defense was creeping out away from the basket.

He used Gilbert to exploit it, he said.

The only thing Les was worried about was Gilbert’s foot, which still was recovering from the injury.

“I’ve been reluctant to call that play,” Les said.

Gilbert said he was thrilled Les called the play. It brought the crowd of 9,215 to a roar and gave Bradley an 18-10 lead.

“It gave me a lot of confidence,” he said. “It would give any player confidence. It would give a player in the NBA confidence. I know it gave me a boost. It gave the team a boost.”

Gilbert hit 7-of-14 shots, including 6-12 from three-point range.