WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Bowie State University men's basketball surrendered an 18-point, second half lead and came up on the losing end of a 69-67 decision at Winston-Salem State University on Monday evening. The loss, Bowie State's fourth in a row, sends the Bulldogs into the Christmas break with a record of 5-8 overall and 0-2 in the CIAA.
 
The lead changed hands twice in the games' first five minutes until Bowie State took its first lead at 11-9 on a jumper by sophomore Cameron Hayes (Upper Marlboro, Md.) at the 13:22 mark. The Bulldogs maintained a lead in the first 20 minutes of action and took a 36-27 advantage into halftime.

The Bulldogs hit 16-of-29 field goals in the first half (55.2 percent) compared to 10-of-22 from the field (45.5 percent) for the Rams.

Bowie State began the second half with a 9-0 run that gave the Bulldogs an 18-point cushion. However, Winston-Salem State answered with an 8-0 run that eventually trimmed the Bulldogs lead down to eight (45-37) by the 13:17 mark.

A pair of 3-pointers by Bowie State senior Ahmaad Wilson (Baltimore, Md.) and a free throw by fellow senior Dayshawn Wells (Baltimore, Md.) pushed the Bulldogs lead back to double digits (15 points) and a score of 54-39 with 9:54 left in the contest.
 
Unfortunately for Bowie State, Winston-Salem State (4-8 / 2-1 CIAA) still had some fight left in them.  The Rams cut the Bulldogs lead down to five (57-52) three minutes later only to have the visitors push the lead up to 10 (62-52) with 4:36 remaining on the C.E. Gaines Center clock. The Rams put together a 15-5 run to knot the game at 67-all following a pair of Jamel McCallister free throws with 41 seconds remaining in regulation. A pair of McCallister free throws shifted the advantage back to the Rams at 69-67 with 30 seconds to go.
 
As a team, Bowie State shot just 50.9 percent (27-of-53) from the field and 7-of-15 (46.7 percent) from distance.  The Bulldogs went a season-low 6-of-11 from the free throw line (54.5 percent) and managed only 29 rebounds, its second lowest total for the season.
 
The Rams wrapped up the evening at 45.3 percent from the field on a 24-of-53 effort while knocking down 3-of-15 three-pointers (20 percent). Winston-Salem State made a living at the charity stripe, making 18-of-29 (62.1 percent) in the come from behind win.
 
Individually for Bowie State, senior Omari George (Baltimore, Md.) led the way with 16 points while Wilson and redshirt sophomore David Belle added 14 and 12 points respectively.  Senior Tai Marshall (Atlantic City, N.J.) hauled down a career-high seven rebounds to lead BSU while also adding four points.
 
William Crandell posted game-highs of 22 points and 10 rebounds to lead Winston-Salem State while teammate Jamel McCallister added 14 points.
 
The Bulldogs will be idle for the Christmas holiday before returning to home to take on the Saint Augustine's Falcons on Thursday (January 4th) at 7:30 p.m. in BSU's A.C. Jordan Arena.