BOX SCORE

(SALISBURY, N.C.)  Bowie State shot a season-low 31 percent from the field but still managed to escape Livingstone with a 53-52 victory over the Blue Bears.  Senior Curtis Massey (Upper Marlboro, MD, Largo, Dodge City CC) scored a team-high 13 points and junior Andrew Engel (Glen Burnie, MD, Old Mill, Colby C.C.) chipped in a dozen points to help guide the Bulldogs to the conference win.

The Blue Bears of Livingstone College led the entire first half, by as much as 10 points (27-11) with just under 10 minutes remaining in the period. Bowie State was able to tie the game twice over the first 20 minutes but trailed 31-28 at intermission. Livingstone's Sean Booker was on fire in the first half of play, scoring 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting. As a team, Livingstone made a total of 11 first half field goals on 26 attempts (42 percent) and three-of-10 behind the arc (all by Booker). Bowie State's Engel also knocked down three 3-point first half field goals.

Once the second half began, Livingstone's lead didn't last long. Bowie State opened the final period of play with a 14-2 run with junior Duke Crews (Hampton, VA, Bethel, Univ. of Tennessee) and Massey scoring five and four points respectively during six minute stretch. The run resulted in a 42-33 lead and the Bulldogs would never trail again.

Livingstone (6-7 / 1-6 CIAA) did manage to close the margin to two points twice in the final 2 minutes, 31 seconds and pulled with in one on a pair of free throws by Olijah Page with just 15 ticks remaining on the New Trent Gymnasium scoreboard. Livingstone called a timeout after a Booker steal but could not capitalize.

Second half field goal shooting was not good for either Bowie State or Livingstone. Livingstone was six-of-30 (20 percent) in the final period and Bowie State made just seven-of-23 (30 percent) from the field. Shooting behind the 3-point line didn't help either team's field goal percentage as the Blue Bears came up empty on seven attempts and the Bulldogs were one-of-six from long range. Bowie State ruled the backboard, outrebounding Livingstone 47 to 36.

Booker ended the night with a game-high 24 points on 10-of-16 shooting. Calvin Gunning and Page added eight points apiece and Gunning paced Livingstone's Bears with seven rebounds.

Bowie State's Crews recorded his third double-double in a row, scoring 11 points and 11 rebounds. Crews also blocked a Bowie State career-high four shots.

Bowie State University (9-6 / 6-2 CIAA) will entertain the Panthers of Virginia Union University in a much anticipated rematch – Thursday (1/22) at 7:30 p.m. in the Bulldogs' A.C. Jordan Arena.