FINAL STATS

(PETERSBURG, Va.) Junior transfer Duke Crews (Hampton, VA, Bethel, Univ. of Tennessee) scored a game and BSU career-high 18 points to lead Bowie State to a 66-50 road win at Virginia State. The win improves Bowie State to 6-5 overall on the year, 3-2 in the CIAA and 2-1 in the division.

The first 20 minutes featured six ties and seven lead changes. Virginia State's largest lead of the night came early in the first half, as the Trojans held a 9-5 advantage at the 15:40 mark. Bowie State went on a 9-3 run over the next 5:14 to take a 13-12 lead following a layup by junior Corey Stevens (Glenarden, MD, Good Counsel). Bowie State outscored Virginia State12-7 over the final 5:13 on the first period to take a 25-20 advantage into the break.

Virginia State hit eight-of-30 first half field goals (27 percent) and Bowie State matched VSU's eight, putting up 26 first half attempts (31 percent). VSU's Trojans struggled behind the arc, making just one-of-eight three-point attempts but were able to convert three-of-four free throws. Bowie State had similar long range trouble, hitting one-of-nine behind the arc. BSU's Bulldogs did fair better at the free throw line in the first half, converting eight-of-11 from the charity stripe.

Bowie State extended its lead to double-digits (43-33) with just under 10 minutes left in the game on a layup by junior Armond Hill (Silver Spring, MD, Springbrook, Montgomery - Rockville C.C.). The Bulldogs lead swelled to as much as 17 three times in the final period of play. The Bowie State Bulldogs scored at a 63 percent clip in the final half, knocking down 15-of-24 field goal attempts compared to 42 percent (10-of-24) for Virginia State.

Jacobe Simpson led Virginia State with 11 points, hitting three-of-six field goals and five-of-six free throws. Michael Johnson and J.C. Chaney chipped in eight points apiece in the Virginia State loss. Ricardo Lipscomb was Virginia State's top rebounder with five to his credit.

Other than Crews, juniors Charles Richardson (Suitland, MD, Suitland, Montgomery - Takoma Park C.C.) and Stevens also scored in double figures adding 11 points each and Hill scored 10 points. Crews hauled in a game-high eight rebounds to go along with three assists.

Bowie State will have little time to rest as the Bulldogs return to the hardwood Monday (1/5) hosting West Virginia State University at 7:30 p.m. in BSU's A.C. Jordan Arena.