BOWIE, Md. – The Bowie State University men's basketball team will open the 2021-22 season at the Dave Russell Conference Challenge hosted by Shepherd University Friday, Nov. 12 through Saturday, Nov. 13 at Butcher Athletic Center.

The challenge will feature members of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Conference and Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) including Bowie State, Shepherd, Mercyhurst University and Fayetteville State University.

The Bulldogs will take on Mercyhurst on Friday at 5 p.m., followed by a tilt with Shepherd on Saturday at 6:30 p.m.

The tournament will offer live coverage on either www.bsubulldogs.com or www.shepherdrams.com.

Bowie State finished 16-13 overall and 8-7 in conference action during the 2019-20 season. The Bulldogs return seven players from that season including two starters in senior guard Justin Route (Washington, D.C.) who was the fifth leading scorer, averaging 6.0 points per game and senior guard Dexter Turner (Washington, D.C.). Prior to the season, BSU was picked to win the CIAA Northern Division and finish third overall in league standings.

The Bulldogs are led by head coach Darryl Brooks in his 12^th season at the helm.

Scouting Mercyhurst
Mercyhurst, a member of the PSAC West Division was projected to finish second in the division. The Lakers are one of few teams that competed in 2020-21. Mercyhurst posted a 12-1 mark during the COVID-19 year and made an appeared in the NCAA Atlantic Region Tournament. Additionally, the Lakers were picked 12^th overall in the NABC Preseason Top-25 Poll.
 
The Lakers return 12 players from last year's unconventional campaign led by Gary Manchel in eighth season.
 
Scouting Shepherd
Shepherd will begin its second year in the PSAC (East) after going 10-12 in league matchups and 14-15 overall during the 2019-20 season. The Rams return six players from that season including Kyle Dagget who was the team's second leading scorer in 2019-20 with 11.8 points per game while the team's leader on the boards is also returning - Jon Preston who registered 5.2 boards per night.
 
The Rams are led by Justin Namolik who begin his 12^th season at the helm.

For the most up-to-date information on Bowie State University Athletics and its 13 varsity sports teams, please visit www.bsubulldogs.com.