Box Score (RALEIGH, N.C.)  Saint Augustine's College made it very interesting down the stretch, but 12th ranked Bowie State University prevails 75-71.  The victory snapped a two-game Bulldogs losing streak and set the BSU record at 10-3 (2-2 CIAA).

A very hungry Bulldogs basketball team jumped on Saint Augustine's from the opening tip.  Bowie State erupted for a 20-10 advantage by the 12:26 mark only to have the Falcons charge back.  A thunderous dunk by Jon Kindred cut the Bowie State lead down to two at 29-27 at the 4:55 mark of the first half.

Bowie State may have been able to lead by more than 38-32 at halftime, but personal fouls hampered the Bulldogs.  Senior Darren Clark picked up three fouls in the first period while senior Travis Hyman, junior Byron Westmorland and senior Ali Djim were called for two fouls each. 

Clark was whistled for his fourth foul with just under 11 minutes left in the game, sending the Bulldogs floor leader to the bench.

Back-to-back field goals by senior Jay Gavin followed by back-to-back free throws by Westmorland gave Bowie State a 12 point cushion (63-51).  The Bulldogs defense put the clamps on Saint Augustine's between 8:16 and 5:30, only allowing a pair of free throws by Tyron Laughinhouse and a field goal by Chris Johnson.

However, just like the first half, Saint Augustine's wouldn't go away quietly, storming back to pull within one at 69-68 with 41 seconds left in the game courtesy of a Chris Rhodes trifecta.

Gavin drilled a jumper on BSU's next possession to give Bowie State a little breathing room at 71-68, forcing Saint Augustine's to call a timeout. 

Clark stole the ball from SAC's Rhodes, scored a layup and was fouled on the play by Tyquon Stroman.  Clark completed the 3-point play only to have Rhodes race down court to drain his third 3-point field goal of the game which made the score 74-71 Bulldogs with five ticks left on the clock.

Gavin was fouled on the in-bounds play, strolled to the other end of Emery Gymnasium and sank a free throw to close the game out.

Saint Augustine's (8-6 / 3-1 CIAA) was led by Stroman's 12 points and Rhodes added 11 points for the Falcons.  Saint Augustine's outrebounded the taller Bulldogs 42-37 including 16-5 in offensive rebounds.  But the Falcons had trouble shooting over the Bulldogs, who have eight players 6-foot-7 or taller on their roster. The Falcons, who have two players over 6-7 on their roster, shot 32 percent but scored 29 points off 20 Bulldog turnovers.

Gavin scored 17 points and Clark added 16 points and three steals for the Bulldogs, who shot 50 percent for the game. Junior Bryan Wilson finished with 14 points and Westmoreland scored 11 points for the Bulldogs, who outscored the Falcons 32-16 in the paint.

Bowie State will take a day off before returning to the hardwood, at home, hosting the Blue Bears of Livingstone College on Monday (January 16th) at 7:30 pm.