BOX SCORE

(BOWIE, Md.) Bowie State University was pushed to the limit on opening night and narrowly defeated Lincoln University of Pennsylvania 79-78, advancing to the championship game of the Bulldogs Classic.

Lincoln (Pa.) held a 39-38 halftime advantage and knocked down eight-of 15 behind the arc in the first 20 minutes of action. The Lions hit 13-of-29 first half field goals with Bryant Leach leading the attack with 13 first half points. Leach was responsible for three-of-five first half 3-point field goals. Thirteen of the 16 lead changes occurred in the first period.

Bowie State opened the second half with a 6-0 run to take a five point advantage (44-38) but Lincoln trimmed the deficit to 44-43 after two free throws by Darren Clark. Lincoln took a five point advantage (53-48) as well with 13 minutes left in the game. A Cassin Diggs (Williamsport, PA, Williamsport, University of Pittsburgh) free throw and a 3-pointer by junior Corey Camphor (Upper Marlboro, MD, DeMatha) pulled Bowie State to within one at 53-51 at the 10:55 mark. BSU's Bulldogs pushed the lead back up to five (62-57) with under five minutes left to play. However, a Clark jumper, Damian Hyman 3-pointer and Leach free throw, knotted the game for the sixth time with 3:09 left in the game.

Unfortunately for Lincoln (Pa.), this is where the Bulldogs of Bowie State would make their final push. Bowie State opened up an eight point cushion (75-67) with just under 40 seconds remaining in the game and held off the Lions in the final moments.

BSU's Diggs scored a game-high 23 points and pulled down a game-high 11 and fellow junior Andrew Engel (Glen Burnie, MD, Old Mill, Colby C.C.) added 17 points to pace the Bulldogs in the win. Armond Hill (Silver Spring, MD, Springbrook, Montgomery - Rockville C.C.) and Camphor ended the game with eight points each and the trio of Curtis Massey (Upper Marlboro, MD, Largo, Dodge City CC) , Delmar Carey (Charlotteville, VA, Monticello, Coastal Georgia C.C.) and Charles Richardson (Suitland, MD, Suitland, Montgomery - Takoma Park C.C.) contributed five points apiece.

Leach top Lincoln's Lions with 22 points while teammates Clark and Hyman chipped in 19 and 18 points respectively. Clark and Hyman also led Lincoln (Pa.) in rebounds, accounting for a team-high eight each.

As a team, Lincoln nailed 14-of-33 behind the 3-point line while Bowie State managed just six-of-22 behind the arc. Bowie State won the battle on the glass, outrebounding Lincoln 46-34

Bowie State will tangle with cross-town foe Columbia Union at 4 p.m. Sunday (11/16) afternoon, with the winner capturing the 2008 Bulldogs Classic crown.