BOWIE, Md. - The visiting Trojans of Virginia State University broke a 16-16 tie with a 12-0 first half run and strolled to a 78-69 victory over the Bulldogs of Bowie State University. The loss drops the Bulldogs record to 8-11 overall, 4-6 in the CIAA and 1-3 in the North.
Junior Ray Gatling (Oxon Hill, Md.) paced the Bulldogs with 16 points and senior Branden Doughty (Upper Marlboro, Md.) added a double-double career-high of 15 points, 11 rebounds and added two blocked shots. Junior Carlos Smith (Baltimore, Md.) contributed 14 points in the loss.
“Shooting percentages really tell the story in this one”, said Bowie State fourth-year head coach Darrell Brooks. “We didn’t do a good job defensively … We’re just really trying to figure ourselves out at this late date defensively and we have to do it in order for us to be the team I think we can become.”
Bowie State got off to an early 9-3 lead in the games’ first three minutes. Virginia State got into foul trouble early causing the Trojans to sit two of its starters Mike Bynum (Norfolk, Va.) and Kenny Mitchell (Atlanta, Ga.). The Trojans would quell the Bulldog's advantage after Allen Harris (Boston, Mass.) nailed a jumper tying it 16-16 at the 10:29 mark. Richard Hall (Bay Shore, N.Y.) gave the Trojans their first lead of the game at 18-16 with a jumper. Virginia State quickly pushed their lead to 21-16 after a three point play from Jacoby Wells (Emporia, Va.). Hall answering the bell again, draining a three-pointer from long range to give the Trojans an eight point lead with 8:02 left in the first.
The Trojans used a 12-0 run to extend their lead to 28-16 before a jumper by Bulldogs senior Bryan Wilson (Upper Marlboro, Md.) ended the VSU run.
Bowie closed out the final 5:24 of the opening period with an 11-2 run to narrow the deficit to 33-29 at halftime.
Gatling cut the Trojans lead to two following a pair of free throws to start the second half, but that’s a close as the BSU Bulldogs would get the rest of the game.
Gatling cut the Trojans lead to two following a pair of free throws to start the second half, but that’s a close as the BSU Bulldogs would get the rest of the game.
A Holleman triple and a layup by Alex Jackson (Baltimore, Md.), gave Virginia State some breathing room at 38-31.
The Bulldogs cut it to two points again, this time after a dunk by Smith. However Mitchell had other plans, rocking the rim with a dunk of his own on Virginia State’s next possession. Holleman knocked down yet another three-pointer and finished with 16 points to lead all VSU scorers. Virginia State (10-9, 5-5 CIAA, 3-1 North) never trailed the rest of the way and led by as much as 15 points.
Three other Trojans posted double-figures. Harris ended the night with 14 points while Bynum andJames Vann (Norfolk, VA.) scored 10 apiece. Defense, was no doubt the story of this game. Virginia State held a Bulldogs team that came into the contest averaging 83.1 points per game, to their second lowest point total of the season.
Three other Trojans posted double-figures. Harris ended the night with 14 points while Bynum andJames Vann (Norfolk, VA.) scored 10 apiece. Defense, was no doubt the story of this game. Virginia State held a Bulldogs team that came into the contest averaging 83.1 points per game, to their second lowest point total of the season.
Virginia State held Bowie State to 35.4 percent shooting from the field, which included a season-low 18.2 percent (4-of-22) from three-point range. The Trojans shot 51.1 percent (24-of-47) from the field, an even 50 percent from three-point land (11-of-22), and 70.4 percent from the charity stripe (19-of-27).
Bowie State’s next opponent will be the CIAA Northern Division leading Vikings of Elizabeth City State University. The Bulldogs and Vikings will hit the hardwood on Saturday (February 2nd) in BSU’s A.C. Jordan Arena at 7:30 pm.
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