Box Score WASHINGTON, D.C. - Bowie State University dropped its first game of the season falling 75-57 to the Lakers of Grand Valley State University in a non-conference matchup at the Firebirds Classic hosted by the University of the District of Columbia. The setback sets the Bowie State overall record at 2-1.  PHOTOS

Leading the way for the Lady Bulldogs was junior Brooke Miles with 12 points and sophomore Channell Mackey with 10 points. Mackey tied for game-high assists honors with three and was named to the All-Classic Team. BSU junior Moriah Goodman pulled down a team-high six rebounds and sophomore Bria Robinson added nine points. 

Grand Valley State (3-0) was led by Briauna Taylor's game-high double-double of 23 points and 11 rebounds. Alex Stelfox just missed a double-double, scoring 14 points and grabbing nine rebounds. Lauren Stodola scored in double figures as well, contributing 13 points for the Lakers.

The Lakers jumped out to a comfortable 41-28 halftime advantage on 11-of-21 (52.4 percent) shooting from the floor and 16-of-18 (88.9 percent) from the free throw line.

GVSU began pulling away near the mid-point of the first half, as the Lakers, already up 16-12, went on a nine-point run that ended with a three-pointer by Breanna Kellogg to give the Lakers a 25-12 advantage.

The Lakers went on another run near the end of the first half, scoring the last seven points of the opening stanza, including a lay-up and three free throws by Taylor, to go in to the locker room up 41-26.

Bowie State appeared to be making a comeback midway through the second half. With Grand Valley State leading 56-37, Bowie State forced a Lakers timeout after going on a six-point run to make it a 56-43 advantage. Following the timeout, however, Stelfox hit a jumper but Bowie State kept coming hard, cutting the deficit to only 10 at 58-48 with eight minutes to play.

A 10-2 run by the Lakers in the next couple minutes put the game away, including six straight points from Stodola. Up 68-50, Grand Valley State was able to hold on the rest of the way, taking the game by a 75-57 score.

As a team, the Lakers dominated at the charity stripe, going 34-for-38 (89.5-percent) from the line. GVSU had a huge advantage in rebounds (41-27) and forced Bowie State in to 26 fouls compared to the Lakers' 15. A solid defensive effort by Grand Valley State forced Bowie State in to shooting only 26.2-percent (17-for-65) from the field on the game.

Bowie State returns to action Friday (November 23) in non-conference action at Howard University. The Lady Bulldogs and Lady Bison get underway at 7 pm in HU's Burr Gymnasium.