BOX SCORE

PHOTO GALLERY (Courtesy of Carroll Smith)

(BOWIE, Md.)  The Bowie State University Bulldogs shot 62 percent from the floor in the second half and ripped Virginia State University's Trojans 84-50 in a key CIAA Eastern Division contest.  The win gives Bowie State at season sweep over Virginia State and improve the Bulldogs to 12-11 overall, 9-7 in the CIAA and 4-2 in the East.

Virginia State (10-15, 5-10 in the CIAA and 2-4 in the East) led twice in the game, 15-12 after a 3-pointer by Trey Mines and 19-18 following a 3-point bucket by Harvey Mills. Beyond that, Bowie State manhandled Virginia State. Bowie State controlled the glass, outrebounding Virginia State 43-29 on the night and blocked seven shots. BSU's Bulldogs forced 21 Virginia State turnovers which translated into 25 points.

Field goal shooting was pretty even in the first period. Virginia State made nine-of-22 first half field goals (41 percent) and Bowie State hit 12-of-29 first period field goals, also at a 41 percent clip. The difference was probably at the free throw line. Bowie State converted seven-of-13 in the first 20 minutes compared to two-of-nine for Virginia State. Bowie State went into halftime with a 34-23 edge.

Bowie State began the second half with a 19-10 run to increase the Bulldogs lead to 53-33 by the 12:06 mark. BSU's Bulldogs followed that up with a 22-3 run, slamming the door shut on the Trojans. Second half field goal shooting really made the difference as Bowie State increased its percentage to 62 percent on 16-of-26 shooting from the floor. Bowie State also made 14-of-18 second half free throws (78 percent) and 21-of-31 from the charity stripe overall.

Brandon Macklin and Leon Willis led Virginia State's scorers with 11 and 10 points respectively. Willis also led Virginia State in the rebounding category with six boards and Macklin recorded five rebounds.

Junior Charles Richardson (Suitland, MD, Suitland, Montgomery - Takoma Park C.C.) scored a career and game-high 20 points on six-of-seven field goal shooting, which included three-of-three behind the arc. Fellow juniors Duke Crews (Hampton, VA, Bethel, Univ. of Tennessee) and Andrew Engel (Glen Burnie, MD, Old Mill, Colby C.C.) chipped in 19 and 12 points respectively. Crews also blocked a game-high four shots, three in the first half.

Bowie State returns to action – Thursday (2/12) with a tough road game at Lincoln University of Pennsylvania. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.