FINAL STATS
(ETTRICK, VA) Bowie State University improved its record to 17-7 overall (11-5 in the CIAA and 3-3 in the East) and extended their win streak to five games after beating Virginia State University 75-69 to sweep the season series.
Virginia State (8-16 / 6-9 in the CIAA / 2-4 in the East) came out fired up on senior night and opened the game with a 5-0 burst and extended that lead to 12-2 in the first two minutes. Following about a 15 minute delay due to a main scoreboard malfunction, Virginia State's offense faded and Bowie State's was rejuvenated. The Bowie State Bulldogs went on a 6-0 to cut the deficit to 12-8 by the 15:08 mark. Virginia State's Leon Willis pushed the Trojans lead up to 21-12 before BSU's Bulldogs battled back to close to within three (22-19). Senior Orlando Wright stuck a 3-pointer in front of the Virginia State bench to tie the game at 36-36 with 4:16 remaining in the first half. Bowie State took its first lead of the night at 41-40 on a layup by senior David Paris and carried that advantage into halftime. The Bowie State Bulldogs torched the Daniel Gymnasium nets at a 60 percent clip in the first half, making 18-of-30 from the field. Virginia State made 16-of-33 first period field goal attempts (48.5 percent).
Paris opened the second half with a layup for the Bulldogs, but Virginia State's Jamar Fleming knocked down a 3-point bucket and added a free throw to tie the game at 44-44. A tip-in by BSU junior Curtis Massey and another triple by Wright (7 points) pushed the Bulldogs lead to 49-44. Bowie State took a five point advantage two more times in the second half (55-50 and 59-54) but Virginia State did manage to battle back to close within one 68-67 with 1:39 left in regulation. Senior Arthur Bowers gave Bowie State a two point cushion, making one-of-two free throws and senior Carlos Williams followed that with a huge 3-pointer to give the visitors a 71-67. Virginia State's Trey Mines floated a jumper in the paint with 25.3 second left to play, making the score 72-69. Williams was fouled following a Virginia State timeout, but made only one of two free throws. Torres missed a 3-point attempt deep in the corner and Nate Idlet's tip-in also missed its mark on Virginia State's next trip down the floor. BSU's Williams came down the other end of the court and nailed a 3-pointer from the top of the key to seal the win for the Bulldogs.
Williams paced Bowie State with a team-high 17 points, hitting five-of-seven field goals, six-of-nine from the free throw line, grabbed six rebounds and handed out four assists. Senior Jason Ingram and Paris also scored in double figures, tallying 15 and 13 points respectively. Senior Arthur Bowers led the Bulldogs in assists for the second game in a row, dishing out a game-high five assists on the night. Massey was the games top rebounder, leading BSU with eight boards. Bowie State manhandled Virginia State on the glass, outrebounding the Trojans 40 to 25.
Four of five Virginia State starters scored in double figures with Fleming leading the way with 19 points to go along with a team-high five rebounds. Willis, Mines and Torres chipped in 11 points apiece. Torres was very generous with the ball, handing out a game-high six assists in his final home game in a Trojans uniform.
Bowie State travels to Lawrenceville (VA) – Saturday, February 16th to take on the Tigers of St. Paul's College at 4 p.m.
