SALISBURY, NC -- The Bowie State women's basketball team out-rebounded the Livingstone Lady Blue Bears 39-36 on the way to a 66-60 victory on the road Thursday night in its Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) opener.
The Bulldogs (5-4, 1-0 CIAA) had three players score in double figures, led by sophomore Anii Harris (Ellicott City, MD), who had 14 points. Junior Seanice Lyons (Upper Marlboro, MD) tacked on 14 points and three steals while junior Robyn Howard (Temple Hills, MD) chipped 13 points.
While BSU dominated the glass, sophomore Saniha Jackson (Ellicott City, MD) paced the Bulldogs with nine boards alone. The Bulldogs also pulled down 14 offensive rebounds and scored 11 second chance points.
Bowie State forced 27 Livingstone turnovers while committing 24 themselves in the contest. The Bulldogs turned those takeaways into 19 points on the other end of the floor. Lyons' three steals led the way for Bowie State.
How It Happened
After falling behind 6-0, Bowie State went on a 10-0 run with 7:33 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Howard, to take a 10-6 lead. The Bulldogs then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter break with a 16-14 advantage. Bowie State capitalized on nine of Livingstone's turnovers in the period, turning them into six points on the other end of the floor.
The Lady Blue Bears rallied to take a 27-21 lead before BSU went on a 6-0 run starting at the 2:58 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from Lyons, to tie the game at 27. LC then took control, putting the Bulldogs at a 31-27 disadvantage heading into halftime.
After intermission, Bowie State cut its deficit to 40-37 before going on a 6-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Jackson, to grab a 43-40 lead with 2:36 to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Blue Bears had cut into that lead somewhat, but the Bulldogs still entered the fourth quarter with a 46-44 edge. BSU knocked down three three-pointers in the quarter to score nine of its 19 total points.
Bowie State kept its lead intact before going on a 5-0 run, finished off by Lyons' jumper, to grow the lead to 53-46 with 8:44 to go in the contest. The Blue Bears narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Bulldogs still cruised the rest of the way for the 66-60 win.
Game Notes
» The Bulldogs held the Blue Bears to only 38.9-percent shooting from the field.
» Bowie State had a 39-36 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Bulldogs defense forced 27 turnovers.
» BSU cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 14 offensive boards in the game.
» Harris and Lyons led the Bulldogs with 14 points apiece.
» Bowie State got a game-high nine rebounds from Jackson.
Upcoming Schedule
This game began a three-game road trip for Bowie State. The Bulldogs will continue its bus ride down south to Charlotte, N.C. to face Johnson C. Smith in a 2 p.m. contest Saturday, Dec. 17. Bowie State will face its third CIAA opponent of the season on Monday, Dec. 19 with a matchup at Winston-Salem State at 5:30 p.m.
Coming off the holiday break, the Bulldogs will host Chowan on Dec. 31 at 2 p.m. in A.C. Jordan Arena and Alderson Broaddus on Jan. 2 at 2 p.m. to bring in the New Year.
For the most up-to-date information on Bowie State University Athletics and its 13 varsity sports teams, please visit www.bsubulldogs.com.
