BOX SCORE
(BOWIE, MD) Bowie State University's Lady Bulldogs used a 19-8 run in the final 5:56 to post a 70-57 victory over the Johnson C. Smith Lady Golden Bulls. The win knocked JCSU from the ranks of the unbeaten in conference play (5-1 / 9-5 overall) and improved BSU to 5-1 in the CIAA and 10-2 overall.
The home team took an early 4-0 advantage but the guest from Johnson C. Smith responded with a 6-0 run to take their first lead at 6-4. Bowie State junior Markeya Watson tied things up at 6-6 which began a 6-0 run by the Lady Bulldogs. Johnson C. Smith kept their cool and knotted the game at 12-12 on a pair of free throws by Amber Stoney. BSU freshman Brittney Jackson entered the contest a quickly nailed 3-pointer to shift the advantage back to the Lady Bulldogs. Watson scored eight of BSU's final 16 points of the first half as the Lady Bulldogs strolled into halftime leading 31-23.
Johnson C. Smith began the second half just like Bowie State did to start the game, opening the final period with a mini 4-0 run. However, Watson converted two free throws and freshman Denita Hill added a triple to push BSU's lead up to nine (36-27) at the 17:52 mark. Johnson C. Smith's deficit stayed under double figures and did manage to pull to within two (51-49) at the 5:56 mark. Sophomore Bianca Lee (12 points and six rebounds) popped a big two point bucket to spark an 8-0 run for Bowie State. From this point, the outcome was apparent but the question would be how much would Bowie State win by.
Bowie State mauled the Lady Golden Bulls on the glass, ripping down 20 offensive rebounds (45 total), compared to a mere nine offensive rebounds (30 total rebounds) for Johnson C. Smith.
BSU's Lady Bulldogs were led by Watson's season-high 17 points and 13 rebounds. Freshman Lakisha Walker recorded her second double-double of her Lady Bulldogs career, scoring 12 points and hauling down 10 rebounds. Senior Allyson Swailes added 15 points, which included eight-of-eight from the free throw line.
Shemika Jones and Kyria Buford topped Johnson C. Smith with 13 points each. Buford tied teammate Demetria Bell for team-high rebound honors, accounting for seven apiece.
Johnson C. Smith and Bowie State return to the hardwood – Saturday (1/19) with the Lady Golden Bulls hosting St. Paul's and the Lady Bulldogs entertaining Livingstone.
