BOX SCORE

 
(BOWIE, Md.)  Bowie State struggled tremendously from the free throw line and had trouble delivering the knockout punch, but managed to stave off Fayetteville State 76-63. With the win, BSU's Bulldogs sweep the season series and improve their record to 11-9 overall and 8-5 in the CIAA.

Holding an extremely comfortable 37-19 lead at the half, Bowie State's defense forced Fayetteville State into 13 first period turnovers and outscored the Broncos 20-6 in the paint over the first 20 minutes. The game was tied three times in the first half with the last coming at the 14:56 mark, with BSU's Bulldogs and FSU's Broncos tied at 9-9. However, Bowie State went on a 7-0 run over the next four minutes and outscored Fayetteville State 21-10 over the final 10:05 of the first half.

Bowie State maintained a double-digit lead much of the second half until Fayetteville State pulled to within nine (51-42) with 8:40 left to play in the game. Bowie State reclaimed a double-digit lead twice but missed critical free throws during the final period. Fayetteville State narrowed their deficit to 65-61 with 1:10 remaining in the game and came within three (66-63) with five seconds left in the contest.

The Fayetteville State bench outscored Bowie State's bench 20-5 in the second half. As mentioned, Bowie State had a rough night at the free throw line, making 17-of-35 on the night (15-of-28 in the second half). Bowie State's field goal shooting percentage fell from 47 percent (16-of-34) in the first half to 39 percent (seven-of-18) over the final 20 minutes. Fayetteville State on the hand improved on the field goal shooting, moving up to 47 percent (15-of-32) in the second half, up from 33 percent (eight-of-24) in the first period.

Junior Duke Crews (Hampton, VA, Bethel, Univ. of Tennessee) tallied team-highs of 19 points, 11 rebounds and a BSU career-high five blocks in the game. Crews had the most attempts from the charity stripe (21), converting 11. Senior Curtis Massey (Upper Marlboro, MD, Largo, Dodge City CC) and juniors Andrew Engel (Glen Burnie, MD, Old Mill, Colby C.C.) and Charles Richardson (Suitland, MD, Suitland, Montgomery - Takoma Park C.C.) chipped in nine points each for the Bulldogs.

Fayetteville State (11-8, 6-7 CIAA) was led by Ariel Robinson with 19 points on eight-of-12 shooting. Andy Gebru and Darshawn Johnson added nine points apiece and Malcolm Jay pulled down a team-high eight rebounds for Fayetteville State.

Fayetteville State will face Lincoln University of Pennsylvania Monday (2/2) night on the road and Bowie State returns to action Thursday (2/5) at Saint Augustine's College.