NEWARK, DE -- The Bowie State women's basketball team kept Wilmington (DE) to just 18.2-percent from 3-point range in a 4-for-22 shooting performance on the way to a 65-40 win over the Wildcats on the road Wednesday at the Wilmington Athletic Complex.
The Bulldogs (2-1) had two players score in double figures, led by Mia Smith, who had 15 points, seven rebounds and four steals. Anii Harris tacked on 11 points and three steals and Katerra Myers added nine points. Led by Smith's three offensive rebounds, Bowie State did a great job crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 13 boards that resulted in 16 second chance points.
BSU's defense held Wilmington (DE) to only 18.2 percent shooting from beyond the arc and 25.5 percent from the field.
How It Happened
The Bulldogs entered the second quarter tied at 14-14 after a tightly contested first period. Bowie State did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring 10 of its 14 points close to the basket.
BSU turned the first quarter tie into a 23-17 lead before going on a 10-0 run, highlighted by a three from Smith, to increase its lead to 33-17, a score that would hold until halftime. Bowie State dominated in the paint, scoring 12 of its 19 points close to the basket.
The Bulldogs wasted no time building on its lead, going on a 9-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Harris, to expand its lead further to 42-17 with 7:56 to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Wildcats had cut into that lead somewhat, but the Bulldogs still entered the fourth quarter with a 51-30 edge. Bowie State took advantage of seven Wilmington (DE) turnovers in the quarter, scoring seven points off of takeaways.
BSU kept its lead intact before going on an 8-0 run, finished off by Saniha Jackson's layup, to grow the lead to 61-33 with 6:29 to go in the contest. The Wildcats narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Bulldogs still cruised the rest of the way for the 65-40 win. Bowie State took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring 12 of its 14 points in the paint.
Game Notes
» The Bulldogs held the Wildcats to only 25.5 percent shooting from the field.
» BSU never trailed in the second half on its way to victory.
» Bowie State had a stellar day defensively, holding Wilmington (DE) to 18 percent from beyond the arc on 22 attempts.
» The Bowie State bench made an impact by scoring 24 points to its scoring output.
» The Bulldogs forced 27 Wilmington (DE) turnovers while committing only 13 on the other end.
» The Bowie State defense forced 27 turnovers.
» Bowie State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 13 offensive boards in the game.
» Smith led the Bulldogs with a game-high 15 points.
» BSU got a team-high seven rebounds from Smith.
Next Up
Bowie State will continue its road stand when the Bulldogs travel to face the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) on Saturday, Nov. 18 at 2 p.m. That game is a doubleheader with the men's game between Bowie State and UDC taking place at 12 noon.
For the most up-to-date information on Bowie State Athletics and its 13 varsity sport teams, visit bsubulldogs.com.
