ORANGEBURG, S.C. – Sophomore David McCullough (Bowie, MD) scored a game-high 21 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the floor and 9-of-12 from the free throw line to go along with six rebounds but the Bowie State men's basketball team fell late to the Claflin, 78-74 in Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) cross division action Saturday afternoon at Tullis Arena.
The loss dips the Bulldogs to 3-10 overall and 1-1 in league action while the Panthers improve to 3-10 on the season and 2-2 in CIAA action.
Graduate senior Godlyvictor Okafor (Greenbelt, MD) joined McCullough in double digit scoring with 15 points and three blocks – he was 6-for-6 from the field while junior Quinton Drayton (Bowie, MD) added 12 points to round out the double figure scoring for BSU who as a team shot 46-percent from the field (24-52), 29-percent (5-17) from the 3-point line and 84-percent (21-25) from the free throw line.
In a wild contest where both teams went on major runs and momentum swung constantly, Bowie State controlled most of the opening half that included a 25-10 lead capped off by a 3-pointer from Drayton with under nine minutes left in the first half. However, the Panthers used a 26-9 scoring margin highlighted by a 7-0 run to take a 36-34 lead at halftime over the Bulldogs.
A layup from McCullough tied the game at 36-all to start the second half as the lead changed seven times down the stretch. With 6:51 remaining, McCullough scored his 19th- point on a fast break to give Bowie State a 64-63 lead but Claflin responded with a layup of their own which led to the Panthers 70-68 lead with 3:37 left to play.
Okafor tied the game at 70-even with an easy two but Claflin went ahead thanks to a pair of free throws from Marquez Ray that steered a shootout at the charity stripe with the Panthers connecting on 8-of-10 free throws in the last 1:18 while the Bulldogs went to the line once.
BSU out-rebounded the Panthers 32-30 but committed 15 turnovers compared to Claflin's 13. In second chances, the Bulldogs held a 16-12 frame but the Panthers got a 78-13 scoring performance from their bench.
Bowie State will return to action Saturday, Jan. 15 versus Lincoln (PA) for division action at 4 p.m. from 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.
