Bowie State Sweeps Season Series with Elizabeth City State
ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. - In the second meeting of the regular-season with Elizabeth City State University, shooting was a significant factor as the Bulldogs sweep the season series with a 70-59 victory over the Vikings.
The Bulldogs advance to 16-10 overall, 8-5 in conference play, and 4-2 against division opponents. The Vikings dropped to under .500 on the season at 12-13, stand 4-9 in conference play and 2-5 against division opponents. They now sport the second-worst winning percentage in the northern division.
“This was a good win for un on the road”, stated a very happy Bowie State Head Coach Darrell Brooks. “Coach Walker’s teams are always very well coached …, they play hard and are tough. We did a great job defensively, especially holding their leading scorer (Justin Faison) to just two points on 1-of-11 shooting.”
Bowie State got off to a quick start as they held a 16-6 lead, with 12:46 to play in regulation. They maintained its lead throughout the half, as the Bulldogs shot 56 percent (14-of-25) from the field, 50 percent (3-of-6) from deep and connected on 67 percent (8-of-12) of its free throws. Although Elizabeth City State shot 39 percent (13-of-33) from the field, they entered halftime only down by five points.
But in the second half, the Bulldogs continued to make shots, and the Vikings continued to miss shots-- as they shot 32 percent (10-of-31) from the field and 11 percent (1-of-9) from three-point range. Still, Elizabeth City had a chance to win the game. They cut the Bulldogs’ lead of 10 at the 16-minute mark, down to four points at the 10:13 minute mark.
However, their mini runs did not last as they struggled to slow down the Bulldogs’ rhythm on offense--especially senior David Belle (Hyattsville, Md), who led the two Bulldogs double-digit scorers with 22 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the field. Senior Juwan Smith (Lexington Park, Md) followed up with 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting from the field.
As a team, the Bulldogs shot 55 percent from the field, making 26-of-47 field goals and knocked down 50 percent (6-of-12) of its shots from long distance. They also held advantage in the paint (30-26). For Elizabeth City State, Joseph Allen, and Shykeef Daniels tallied 14 points each. Gabe Kirkendoll followed up with 10 points.
Next Wednesday (2/19), the Bulldogs will continue its road trip against Virginia Union, who is currently riding a four-game win streak. Game time in VUU’s Barco-Stevens Hall is 7:30 p.m.
Defense Keys in Bulldog Women’s 58-50 Win Over Elizabeth City State
ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. – The Bowie State women’s basketball team picked up its 21st win of the season behind senior Kyaja Williams’ (Baltimore, Md.) 11th double-double of the season, defeating Elizabeth City State 58-50. The forward posted 13 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Fellow senior Dynaisha Christian (Pocomoke, Md.) led all scorers with 18 points and added six rebounds while junior Talanya Hutton (Seat Pleasant, Md.) chipped in 10 points.
In addition to their great defensive effort, the Bulldogs' offense was solid as well for a great overall performance. The Bulldogs held the Lady Vikings to making just 22 field goals for the entire game. Offensively, Bowie State shot a solid 46.3 percent (25-of-54) from the floor. Sirena Pitts led the way for ESCU with 12 points while Devona Stell recorded a double-double with 11 points and 14 rebounds.
Both teams went back and forth in the first period with BSU grabbing 9-7 lead after Williams’ jumper with 3:55 remaining. The Lady Vikings would take control the rest of the way until senior Shawnkia McCallum’s (Baltimore, Md.) deep ball gave the Bulldogs 16-14 lead to end the first quarter.
Williams opened the second stanza with a layup to push BSU’s lead 18-14 before Stell responded with a bucket of her own at 8:19. ECSU controlled the quarter as far as scoring with 12 to BSU 10 but the Bulldogs hung around to take 26-26 tie into the locker room at half.
The third quarter belonged to the Bulldogs as they outscored ECSU 16-11. Hutton gave the Bowie State their biggest lead of the game 33-26 with a layup at 8:22 before Nyasia Blango answered to cut the lead 33-29. BSU would later take a 42-37 lead into the fourth quarter.
Senior guard Amel Duggins (Largo, Md.) knocked down back to back three ball to begin the fourth period and gave the Bulldogs its biggest lead 48-37. The Lady Vikings would score on back to back possession to cut the deficit to 48-41 with 8:03 left. The Bulldogs took control of the game and never looked back when Williams’ layup gave BSU a 54-41 lead. Although the Bulldogs won comfortably, they struggled at the line once again after going 4-of-20 for the entire game. With CIAA tournament right around the corner, the team can’t afford to go 20 percent at the free throw line.
Bowie State will be back on the road on Wednesday (2/19) when they travel to Richmond, Va. to take on Virginia Union University. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.
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