LARGO, Md. -Â The Bowie State women's basketball captured a 54-37 decision over visiting Johnson C. Smith University in a non-conference tilt Thursday evening inside the Novak Fieldhouse. The Bulldogs are now 8-0 on the season while the Golden Bulls fall to 4-4 overall.Â
PHOTOS (Courtesy of Yusuf Abdullah)
Senior forward
Dynaisha Christian (Pocomoke, Md) posted a double-double with a career-high 16 points on 7-7 shooting to go with 11 rebounds. Junior
Talanya Hutton (Seat Pleasant, Md.) registered 15 points and pulled down seven rebounds while senior
Kyaja Williams (Baltimore, Md.) had herself another double-double with 10 points, 12 rebounds and game-high eight steals. The Bulldogs countered a dismal first half with some terrific defense in the second half, especially in the fourth quarter to claim the victory.
Despite the win, Bowie State had season lows in points scored and field goal shooting percentage 34.5 percent (19-of-55). Emani Clough led the Golden Bulls in scoring with nine points while the team shot 27.7 percent (13-of-47) from the floor. The Bulldogs outmuscled the Golden Bulls in the paint and held a 24-10 advantage and 30-16 advantage in points off turnovers.
The Bulldogs were unable to get on track offensively after both teams traded baskets to start the game. A three ball from Clough gave JCSU an 8-6 lead with 3:21 left to go in the first period however, BSU would go on a 7-0 run to take the lead at 13-8 after one quarter of action.
The Bulldogs warmed up in the second stanza, stretching its lead to 20-10 after Christian connected on a layup with 7:33 remaining. The Golden Bulls went on a 6-0 run to keep the game close but the Bulldogs owned a 23-18 lead at the break.
The second quarter struggles provided some much-needed fuel for the Bulldogs as the team took control out for a solid third quarter that sparked the team to the win. Hutton's three point ball extended BSU's lead to 28-21 with 6:42 left however, the team let the Golden Bulls get back in the game after Alexxus Sowell layup cut the deficit to 32-26 heading into the fourth.
In the fourth period, the Bulldogs lead ballooned to its largest lead of the contest at 17-points when Christian connected on one of her free throws with 33 seconds to go. Although the team pulled away late for a blowout victory, the Bulldogs struggled from the floor tonight. What they lacked offensively, they made up for it defensively by forcing 32 turnovers on the night.
Bowie State will entertain Claflin University on Saturday (12/14) at the AC Jordan Arena. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m.
