BOX SCORE

PHOTO GALLERY (Courtesy of Sherri Fillingham)

(WEST LIBERTY, WV) Making their first post season appearance since 2005, Bowie State University took advantage of the opportunity and defeated Mansfield University 79-59 to advance to Sunday's 5 pm NCAA Regional semifinal.

Bowie State (23-5), ranked No. 19 in the final NCAA Division II poll, led from start to finish and converted 18 Mansfield turnovers into 32 points.

The Bulldogs bolted out to a 17-4 lead before the first media timeout and shot 51 percent from the floor in the first half, knocking down 18-of-35.

Mansfield (18-10) really struggled in the first half of play, hitting only eight-of-28 (29 percent) from the field.

Bowie State held a double-digit lead until a pair of free throws and a 3-pointer by Mansfield's Derrison Anthony trimmed the Bulldogs lead to 23-17 at the 10:34 mark of the opening period.

Bowie State went on a 17-3 run over the next 10 minutes and used that momentum for a very comfortable 45-25 cushion by halftime.

The Bulldogs lead grew to a game-high 25 points (50-25) early in the second half, which allowed Bowie State coach Darrell Brooks a chance to go deep into his bench.

“I was very, very thrilled with this post season victory”, said Brooks. “For our guys to come back and forget about our conference tournament loss and perform the way we did today makes me happy.”

Bowie State juniors Darren Clark (Largo, MD, Largo, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania) and Travis Hyman (Annapolis, MD, Old Mill, Anne Arundel C.C.) paced the Bulldogs with 24 and 21 points respectively to lead Bowie State. Senior Eric Vann (Clinton, MD, Gwynn Park, Prince George's C.C.) added 15 points to go along with four steals and four assists.

“This was a big win for us and tremendous morale booster for the team”, said Clark.

Yuseff Carr led Mansfield with a double-double of 21 points and 10 rebounds.