BOX SCORE

(ETTRICK, Va.) Bowie State University improved its season record to 21-4, pounding Virginia State University 92-71 before a nationally televised audience.

The BSU Bulldogs opened the game with an 10-4 run, making the home standing Trojans of Virginia State burn a timeout before the first media timeout at the under 16 minute mark. Bowie State went up nine (15-6) before the Trojans answered with a 7-0 run to cut the Bulldogs lead down to a deuce.

Virginia State stayed within striking distance even though the Trojans fell behind 30-23 by the 6:01 mark of the opening period. Just like their previous run, Virginia State reeled off another 7-0 run to tie the game at 30-30 following a pair of free throws by Brandon Plummer. However, a triple by Bowie State junior Darren Clark (Largo, MD, Largo, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania) began an 18-5 Bulldogs run to close out the final 4:21.

Bowie State (15-2 CIAA, 10-1 North) used that momentum to take a comfortable 48-35 lead into the half. The Bulldogs shot 57 percent from the floor in the first period, knocking down 16-of-28 field goals, which included five-for-11 behind the arc. Bowie State also shot well at the free throw line, hitting 11-of-14.

Virginia State (4-20, 3-13 CIAA, 3-7 North) had a better shooting first half than in game one between the two teams, as the Trojans hit 42 percent on 14-of-33.

Virginia State's Chris Washington scored the first two points if the second half. However, a pair of dunks by junior Travis Hyman (Annapolis, MD, Old Mill, Anne Arundel C.C.) quieted the Trojans' cheering section.

Bowie State maintained a double-digit lead until a pair of free throws by VSU's Plummer, narrowed the margin to 56-47 with 14:26 left to play.

Virginia State pulled within five at 63-58 on a steal and layup by Chris Washington with 11:04 remaining, but would get no closer.

A layup by BSU's Hyman at the 6:40 mark capped off a 13-0 Bulldogs run, putting the top team in the CIAA Northern Division a 76-58 cushion.

The Bowie State lead ballooned to a game-high 25 points (90-65) after a free throw by freshman Julian Harrell (Baltimore, MD, Good Counsel).

Senior Eric Vann (Clinton, MD, Gwynn Park, Prince George's C.C.) led Bowie State with 21 points on six-of-12 shooting from the field and seven-of-eight from the free throw line. Clark ended the night with 20 points on seven-of-eight shooting from the field, which included three-of-three beyond the arc and three-of five free throws. Hyman chipped in 19 points and sophomore Bryan Wilson (Upper Marlboro, MD, Riverdale Baptist School) netted 13 points.

“Our focus was to play 40 minutes of good basketball, defend, do a good job on the board and execute and truly believe we did that today”, said Bowie State coach Darrell Brooks.

The Trojans were led by Plummer with a game-high 22 points and D'Angelo Johnson along with Washington added 17 and 14 points respectively.

Bowie State's Bulldogs will wrap the regular season on Monday (February 21), hosting the Panthers of Virginia Union University. Game time in BSU's A.C. Jordan Arena is set for 7:30 pm.