BOX SCORE

(BOWIE, Md.)  Junior Darren Clark (Largo, MD, Largo, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania) and senior Eric Vann (Clinton, MD, Gwynn Park, Prince George's C.C.) combined for 51 points, leading the Bowie State University Bulldogs over the Washington Adventist University Shock 105-91.  The victory, Bowie State's sixth in a row, improves the Bulldogs record to 15-3.

“We didn't expect this to be an easy game at all, especially with it being back-to-back games for us”, said second-year coach Darrell Brooks. “Washington Adventist plays very hard, they don't mind playing physical and they're a very energy charged team.

The lead changed hands five times in the games first five minutes and Bowie State had a tough time with the Shock. The Bulldogs took the lead for good at the 14:32 mark of the first period following a pair of free throws by Clark. Bowie State pushed the lead to 35-24 with just six minutes remaining in the first half and cruised into the break with a comfortable 53-35 lead.

Bowie State used a 23-11 burst in the final 6:23 of the opening period and completed the first half with a 46 percent from the field on 17-of-37 shooting. Clark and sophomore Byron Westmorland (Baltimore, MD, Mergenthaler, Baltimore City C.C.) paced Bowie State in the first half with 17 and 11 points respectively.

Washington Adventist made nine-of-29 from the field (31 percent), which included two-of-nine behind the arc (22 percent.) The Shock attempted 21 first half free throws, making 15 (72 percent).

The Bowie State lead grew as high as 22 points (64-42) on a vicious dunk and free throw by junior Travis Hyman (Annapolis, MD, Old Mill, Anne Arundel C.C.) at the 16:22 mark of the second half. However, it appeared the Bulldogs defense fell asleep after that.

Washington Adventist (5-13) went on furious run over the next 12 minutes to pull within seven at 88-81 with 4:57 left in the game. However, Bowie State weathered the storm and closed the game with a 17-10 run.

Branden Washington scored a team-high 22 points to pace Washington Adventist and tied for team-high rebound honors with seven. Jamie Newton chipped in 18 points and a game-high five assists and Khalid Martin along with Eric Peguero added 17 points apiece.

The Bulldogs were led by Clark with a BSU career-high 26 points on eight-of 12 shooting and he knocked down eight-of-nine free throws. Vann contributed 25 points, which included 13-of-14 from the charity stripe and tied for team-high rebound honors with seven. 

Hyman and Westmorland scored 13 points each and sophomore Bryan Wilson (Upper Marlboro, MD, Riverdale Baptist School) rounded out Bowie State's double figure scorers with 11 points. Freshman Rasheem King (Brooklyn, NY, Xaverian) tied with Vann in rebounds with seven to go along with six points.

Bowie State returns to the hardwood on Thursday (February 3) facing the Panthers of Virginia Union University on the road in VUU's cozy Barco-Stevens Hall at 7:30 pm.