BOWIE, Md. - Amid two ties and four lead changes, the Bowie State women's basketball team erased a double-digit deficit in regulation for a 63-57 overtime win over Virginia State Thursday afternoon inside A.C. Jordan Arena. The Bulldogs outscored the Trojans 14-8 in the extra five minutes, extending BSU's win-streak to four-straight against VSU.
Junior Amani Ball (Laurel, MD) led the Bulldogs in scoring with 13 points and eight rebounds off the bench while freshman Katerra Myers (Burtonsville, MD) posted 12 points, a game-high nine rebounds and two steals.
The win improves Bowie State to 7-8 overall and 5-3 in the CIAA while the Trojans drop to 9-9 overall, 5-4 in the league, and 1-2 in the North.
In a tight first quarter, the Trojans broke away for a seven-point cushion ignited by eight-straight points for VSU's Natalia Leaks but a 3-pointer from junior Drew Calhoun (New Carrollton, MD) pulled the Bulldogs within four (15-11) at the end of the quarter.
Bowie State fought from behind the entire second quarter as Virginia State grew its biggest lead of the half at 11 points after a 3-pointer from Sommer Blakemore with 3:05 left. However, Myers scored two of BSU's seven points in the quarter but the Bulldogs trailed 27-18 at halftime.
After outscoring the Trojans 16-14 in the third quarter, Bowie State trailed 41-34 heading into the fourth stanza. BSU clawed its way back with a 7-3 run to close the gap to one (41-42) when Ball's layup rolled around the rim before going in with 5:23 on the clock. VSU would regain the lead on a jumper from Leaks and hold the stand until Ball was sent to the line for two – icing both with 29 seconds remaining. On the ensuing possession, Bowie State's defense forced a VSU turnover that sealed the fate for overtime.
Once in overtime, Ball drained a 3-pointer that led to a seven-point lead for the Bulldogs on a 9-1 scoring spread with 2:27 left. The Trojans closed the gap to three but a pair of free throws from Myers iced the win for the Bulldogs.
BSU shot 39-percent from the field and was 15-of-25 from the free throw line (60-percent). The team also held a 24-0 advantage in bench points while scoring 28 points compared to the Trojans' 16 in the paint.
Bowie State will return to action at home against Elizabeth City State on Saturday, Jan. 29 for a 2 p.m. tip-off inside A.C. Jordan Arena.
For the most up-to-date information on Bowie State University Athletics and its 13 varsity sports teams, please visit www.bsubulldogs.com.
