BOWIE, Md. – After overcoming a six-point deficit in the fourth quarter to tie the game in the final seconds, the Bowie State women's basketball team fell by a 63-56 overtime score inside A.C. Jordan Arena Sunday afternoon in non-conference action.
 
Tied at 35-apiece entering the fourth quarter, the Raiders scored six unanswered points (41-35) before the Bulldogs (3-3) made a mini run (10-4) to tie the game at 45-all thanks to a jumper from Jayla Irvin (Alexandra, VA) with 2:36 remaining. Saniha Jackson (Ellicott City, MD) scored a layup to give BSU a two-point edge but Shippensburg quickly tied again on a layup of their own with 1:17 on the game clock.
 
The lead changed two more times before the Raiders hit on 1-of-2 free throws for a 50-48 lead and four seconds remaining. Out of the timeout, Bowie State's Anii Harris (Ellicott City, MD) drove the lane and found an open Jackson for the layup at the buzzer to send the game into overtime.
 
The Bulldogs took a 3-point lead to begin overtime thanks to Irvin but Shippensburg went on to outscore BSU, 13-6 in the extra period.
 
The Raiders (4-1) led Bowie State, 9-6 in the first quarter but the Bulldogs took a 15-point lead at halftime, including a 23-5 scoring margin in the second quarter. BSU shot 35-percent from the 3-point line while holding Shippensburg to 0-8 shooting frame in the opening half.
 
The third quarter favored the visiting team by a 21-6 margin as both teams traded scores (15-15) in the fourth that led to the overtime session. The Raiders held a 24-13 advantage in points off turnovers and points in the paint (40-18) but the Bulldogs got a great performance from the bench, producing 31 points compared to Shippensburg's eight points.
 
Irvin logged a game-high 23 points to go along with seven rebounds and two steals. Jazmyne Scott (Brooklyn, MD) also grabbed seven boards while Harris tacked on nine points.
 
The Bulldogs will be back in action on Wednesday, Nov. 30 at Goldey-Beacom for a non-conference tilt slated for 5 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.