BOX SCORE

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) Bowie State University put together a great second half surge, but the deficit was just too great as the University of the District of Columbia Firebirds hold off the Lady Bulldogs 64-53.

The start of the game was delayed 90 minutes because of no game officials and there was also a delay in Bowie State's first half offense. Bowie State University (3-4) shot a horrific 6-of-24 (25%) from the field, which included 0-of-7 behind the 3-point line in the first half and did not score their first field goal until a Bianca Lee (Temple Hills, MD, Archbishop Carroll) layup at the 11:47 mark. Before that, UDC ran off 17 straight points, hitting 13-of-26 (50%) from the field, 5-of-8 (63%) behind the arc and 3-of-4 (75%) free throws. To make matters worse, Bowie State turned the ball over 11 times in the first period, resulting in 15 UDC Firebirds points. Nicole Cooper had the hot hand in the first half for UDC, leading the Firebirds with 11 points in the first stanza, hitting 4-of-5 field goals that included 3-of-3 on 3-point attempts and a rather comfortable 34-13 advantage at the break.

The University of the District of Columbia (7-2) kept Bowie State at bay most of the second half until BSU's Lady Bulldogs rallied to pull within nine (55-46) with 2:21 left in the game. During the second half surge, sophomore Teaunsha Robinson (Baltimore, MD, Baltimore Polytechnic) and Lee scored 10 points each for Bowie State. Bowie State narrowed the gap to six (57-51) on a free throw and jumper by freshman Juliette Turner (Silver Spring, MD, John F. Kennedy) with just over a minute left in the game. Unfortunately, time was not on Bowie State's side. Forced to foul, the University of the District of Columbia paraded to the charity stripe and wrapped up the game with seven free throws.

The turnover bug bit the Firebirds in the second half as the University of the District of Columbia committed 16 miscues in the final period. UDC's field goal shooting percentage declined in the final half as well, falling to 38% (8-of-21). Four of five Firebirds starters scored in double figures with Cooper leading the way with 16 points. LaQuanda Brandon and Deyshia Williams tallied 15 and 13 points respectively and DeVaughn Hailey added 11 points in the victory. Williams also tied for game—high rebound honors, pulling down 10 for the University of the District of Columbia Firebirds.

Bowie State was paced by Robinson and Lee with 19 and 15 points respectively and sophomore Denisha Kenion (Ft. Washington, MD, Oxon Hill) contributed 10 points. Robinson was Bowie State's top rebounder, grabbing 10 boards.

The BSU Lady Bulldogs travel to Indiana (Pa.) University – Friday (12/12) to face the Crimson Hawks at 5:30 p.m. in IUP's Memorial Field House.