RICHMOND, Va. - A Saiquan Jamison tip-in as time expired lifts Bowie State to 64-62 road win at Virginia Union on Wednesday night. With the victory, the Bulldogs improve to 5-2 in in North, 11-3 in CIAA play and 15-10 overall. The Virginia Union loss sets the Panthers record at 15-10 overall, 10-4 in the CIAA and 5-3 in division play.
Junior Cameron Hayes came off the Bowie State bench to lead all scorers with 20 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field which included 4-of-4 behind the 3-point line and a perfect 4-of-4 at the free throw line. Junior David Belle contributed 15 points and Jamison pulled down a team-high rebounds.
Bowie State regained the lead (20-16) at the 10:59 mark of the first half following back-to-back baskets by Hayes and Rinardo Perry. The Bulldogs used a 5-1 run to push its lead to 25-17. The lead changed hands eight times in first half, but Bowie State was able to carry a 36-35 into the intermission.
Both teams were identical in shooting percentage in the first half 45 percent, making 13-of-29 from the field. Each team also almost had equal opportunities at the charity stripe over the first 20 minutes as Virginia Union made 8-of-11 and Bowie State converted 7-of-10. The Bulldogs also held advantages in first half rebounds (36-35) and bench points (12-7).
The Bulldogs opened the second half scoring with a Perry fast break dunk and led the Panthers 42-37 by the first, second half media timeout at the 14:54 mark.
The Panthers used a 9-3 run to retake the lead over the Bulldogs at 46-45 with 8:58 to go in the game and pushed its lead to 52-47, forcing Bowie State to call a timeout just over a minute later.
BSU’s Hayes popped a 3-pointer at the 4:30 mark to tie the game at 52-all and a Jamison free throw at the 3:34 mark shifted the lead back to the Bulldogs.
Terrell Leach knocked down a pair of free throws on VUU’s next possession, but Bowie State’s Perry snatched the lead right back for the Bulldogs at 55-54.
Perry did not a agree with a personal foul called against at the 2:38 mark and was assessed a technical foul. Virginia Union made 1-of-2 on the T-foul a made 1-of-2 on the common foul to give the Panthers lead at 56-55.
Two free throws by Belle gave the visitors the lead again at 57-56 and another Hayes triple put Bowie State back on top at 60-56.
A VUU steal and layup with 35.4 seconds left in regulation gave the lead back to the Panthers at 61-60.
David Belle's twisting layup with 19.5 seconds shifted the lead back to Bowie State at 62-61.
VUU’s Will Jenkins was fouled on the Panthers next trip down the court and made 1-of-2 free throws with 6.7 seconds on the clock to tie the game at 62-all.
The Bulldogs inbounded the ball, ran the full length of the court and Jamison tipped in a X miss as time expired to lift Bowie State to the huge 64-62 victory.
Bowie State will close out its home portion of its regular season schedule on Saturday (February 16), playing host to Chowan University at 4 p.m. in the A.C. Jordan Arena.
Football Signees Celebration
BOWIE, Md. - With the hashtags #UNLEASH19 and #HOMEGROWN symbolizing the mindset of the Bowie State University Bulldogs Staff; Alumni, Bowie State Athletic Department Hall of Fame Inductees and Parents, 19 Bulldog Signees gathered at The Greene Turtle in Crofton, Maryland on February 7, 2019 to continue celebrating the 2018 CIAA Conference Championship win and showcase the future of the Program. Recruiting Coordinator and former Bulldog Linebacker Kyle Jackson said, "it was a pleasure being able to connect the old with the new! The young Bulldogs had the opportunity to see what #BULLDOGNATION is made of".
With graduating seniors to include BoxToRow, HBCU Game Day, CIAA Offensive Player and Black College Player of the Year quarterback Amir Hall offense creating roster spots, the staff knew recruiting would be key and decided to "mine in their own backyard" by selecting many of the quality players right from within the State of Maryland. "Events like this are what makes a program successful. Not only will Alumni know our players for being stars on the field, but they will also know our guys for who they are off the field as well", Jackson added.
After welcome remarks by Bowie State University Vice President of Athletics & Recreation Clyde Doughty, Jr., former Bulldogs Cavin Murray and Brian Redmond spoke with signees about their experiences as All-CIAA Conference football players and how their playing days have turned into lifelong friendships. Former Bulldog and current NFL Tight End Khari Lee expressed "dreams do come true at Bowie State" having played for the Houston Texans, Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills during his professional career thus far. At the end of the evening, Student-Athlete Development Coordinator M. Burton Cornish, Jr. further welcomed the parents and guardians of the newest Bulldogs by having them sign individual "Letters of Intent" similar to what their sons signed earlier in the week solidifying their support and commitment to the team and the team's Pledge to them. Each parent's signature was followed by their Bulldog and a member of the Coaching Staff making it official.
Head Football Coach Damon Wilson added, "This is an event that we would like to build upon. For me as Head Coach to have incoming parents sign their Letter of Intent was the highlight of the evening". Wilson concluded, "As a program, not only do we have student-athletes that are committed but their parents and guardians are all in as well". With Spring Ball on the horizon, Bowie State Football and #BULLDOGNATION seem poised and positioned to defend their CIAA Conference title.
