BOWIE, Md. – Bowie State University head men's basketball coach Darrell Brooks became the most winningest coach in program history after his Bulldogs propelled for a 71-68 home victory at the buzzer against Elizabeth City State Saturday afternoon inside A.C. Jordan Arena. The victory was also Brooks 200^th career win as senior Justin Route (Washington, DC) hit a corner 3-pointer at the buzzer for the win.

"200 wins, wow – when I took the job here 12 years ago that never crossed my mind but I got here with great players, great coaches and the grace of God," said Brooks. "I am so happy for my guys, I owe a lot to them and the coaches that have been her over the last 12 years. I am happy to get it but I had a lot of help along the way."

Collectively, the Bulldogs had a balanced effort. Sophomore David McCullough (Bowie, MD) led Bowie State in scoring 14 points and six rebounds while both graduate senior Kobby Ayetey (Accra, Ghana) and sophomore Anthony Carpenter (Reisterstown, MD) added 13 points each. Additionally, both junior Quinton Drayton (Bowie, MD) and Route chipped in 10 points and six rebounds apiece in the winning effort.
The Bulldogs trailed 6-0 in the first three minutes before a 3-pointer from Ayetey hit a 3-pointer that led to a 5-0 run for Bowie State with 16:55 on the game clock. From there, ECSU grew a lead of 12 on a 17-6 run capped off by a layup from Jayden Beloti with 8:35 left in the first half.
 
Bowie State cut the deficit to single digits after a 3-pointer from Ayetey but the Vikings outscored the Bulldogs 13-5 in the last three minutes to take a 38-21 lead at halftime.
 
ECSU picked up where they left off in the first half, stretching its lead to 19 but the Bulldogs spent the entire half chopping away at the deficit brick-by-brick. Bowie State cut the lead to single digits four times before a 3-pointer from Carpenter led to an 8-0 run for BSU, closing the gap to six (64-58) with 3:20 left on the game clock.
 
In the last 2:49, Bowie State outscored the Vikings 10-4 capped off by a 3-pointer from Ayetey with 36 seconds left. On the ensuing the possession, the Bulldogs forced a turnover and after an offensive rebound, Carpenter found Route in the corner for the buzzer beater.
 
Bowie State improves to 7-13 overall, 5-4 in the CIAA and 3-2 in the North while Elizabeth City State falls to 11-9 overall, 4-6 in the league and 1-3 in the division.
 
The Bulldogs will return to action Monday, Jan. 31 against Winston-Salem State in Winston-Salem, N.C. Tip-off is slated for 7:30 p.m.
 
For the most up-to-date information on Bowie State University Athletics and its 13 varsity sports teams, please visit www.bsubulldogs.com.