BOWIE, MD --Anii Harris totaled 25 points and Jayla Irvin added 20 as the Bowie State women's basketball team defeated the University of D.C. Firebirds (2-3) 70-63 at home Wednesday night.
Harris and Irvin's stellar scoring performances led the Bulldogs (3-2) in the contest. Harris tacked on two steals and Irvin added two steals. Robyn Howard also helped out with 12 points and six rebounds.
Beulah Odiong pulled down three offensive rebounds to lead an offense that racked up second chance opportunities for Bowie State, grabbing 11 boards and turning them into six second chance points.
Bowie State's defense held UDC to only 39.3-percent shooting from the field, including 26.7 percent from beyond the arc.
How It Happened
After falling behind 7-3, Bowie State went on a 7-0 run with 6:29 left in the first quarter to take a 10-7 lead. The Bulldogs then added three points to that lead by the end of the period and entered the quarter break with a 19-13 advantage. BSU relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down three shots to account for nine of its 19 points.
The Bulldogs maintained their lead in the game's second frame and entered halftime with a 30-29 edge.
Bowie State continued to preserve its halftime lead before going on a 10-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Irvin, to expand its lead further to 45-34 with 5:15 to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Firebirds had cut into that lead somewhat, but the Bulldogs still entered the fourth quarter with a 48-39 edge. Bowie State knocked down five three-pointers in the quarter to score 15 of its 18 total points.
BSU kept widening that lead, expanding it to 51-41 before going on a 7-0 run, finished off by Howard's three, to grow the lead to 58-41 with 7:32 to go in the contest. The Firebirds narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Bulldogs still cruised the rest of the way for the 70-63 win.
Game Notes
» Bowie State lit it up from beyond the arc, knocking down eight treys in the game.
» The Bulldogs held the Firebirds to only 39.3 percent shooting from the field.
» The Bulldogs never trailed after taking a 19-13 first quarter lead.
» Harris, Irvin, and Howard combined to account for 81 percent of the Bulldogs points.
» The Bowie State bench made an impact by adding 26 points to its scoring output.
» The Bulldogs defense forced 16 turnovers.
» BSU cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 11 offensive boards in the game.
» Harris had a game-high 25 points and Irvin added 20.
» Bowie State got a team-high seven rebounds from Odiong.
Up Next
Bowie State will return to action Sunday, Nov. 27 versus Shippensburg for a non-conference matchup slated for 2 pm.
For the most up-to-date information on Bowie State Athletics and its 13 varsity sport teams, please visit www.bsubulldogs.com.
