BOX SCORE

(BOWIE, Md.) The Bowie State Bulldogs rocked the Panthers of Virginia Union 90-74 before a nationally televised audience in the final regular season game for both teams. The Bulldogs and Panthers split the season series and end the regular with identical 14-6 CIAA and 6-2 Eastern Division records.  Because BSU and VUU are tied, they are declared division co-champs.

The first half featured two ties and two lead changes but that all changed when Bowie State opened a 10-point advantage (23-13) by the 12:45 mark of the opening stanza. Bowie State exploded to 27-13 advantage, mainly on the hot shooting of junior Eric Vann (Clinton, MD, Gwynn Park, Prince George's C.C.). Vann came off the bench to score 10 points over a five minute stretch.

Bowie State used 52 percent field goal shooting in the first half, controlled the glass, outrebouding Virginia Union 23-14 and headed into halftime with a 42-35 advantage.

Virginia Union connected on 14-of-31 first half field goals (45 percent), which included 5-of-8 behind the arc. Braxton Byerson came off the bench to knock down four 3-pointers.

Virginia Union narrowed the gap to 43-39 early in the second period, but Bowie State really kicked it into overdrive after that, rolling off a 16-0 run to increase BSU's lead to a game-high 20 points (59-39). From there, it was never really a question who was going to win but what the final margin of victory would be.

The second half featured nine Bowie State dunks and a mind boggling 74 percent field goal shooting percentage for the determined Bulldogs. Bowie State hit 17-of-23 second half field goals, while the Bulldogs defense shot down Virginia Union. VUU's Panthers were held to 12-of-41 second half field goals (29 percent).

As a team, Bowie State shot a season-high 61 percent from the field and swatted away 11 shots. Free throws continue to be haunt the Bulldogs, with the home team converting 16-of-25 (64 percent) from the charity stripe.

Vann recorded career-highs of 27 points and 11 rebounds to lead Bowie State to the division tying  victory. Sophomore Travis Hyman (Annapolis, MD, Old Mill, Prince George's C.C.) also had a career scoring night, pouring in 24 points to go along with 10 rebounds and seven blocked shots. Senior Duke Crews (Hampton, VA, Bethel, Univ. of Tennessee) contributed 22 on 11-of-15 shooting and added seven rebounds and three blocks to the stat sheet.

Braxton Byerson and Greg Redford scored 13 and 12 points respectively to pace Virginia Union. Redford led Virginia Union in rebounds with 10.