FROSTBURG, MD -- Mia Smith put the Bowie State women's basketball team ahead for good with 3:41 to go the extra period to give the Bulldogs an 89-80 win over the Frostburg State Bobcats on the road Sunday. BSU had trailed by as many as 15 points before going 6-for-6 from the field in overtime to seal the win.
The Bulldogs (9-5) had five players score in double figures, led by Anii Harris, who had 22 points, four assists and three steals. Katerra Myers added 17 points and seven rebounds and Smith chipped in as well with 14 points and two steals off of the bench.
Bowie State forced 21 Frostburg State turnovers while committing 15 themselves in Sunday's game. The Bulldogs turned those takeaways into 19 points on the offensive end of the floor. Harris' three steals led the way for Bowie State.
How It Happened
After falling behind 18-11, BSU went on a 5-0 run with 4:09 left in the first quarter, culminating in a three from Jayla Irvin, to narrow its deficit to 18-16. Frostburg State answered back and added to its lead, leaving the Bulldogs down 24-19 entering the second quarter.
FSU kept adding to that lead, building a 37-23 advantage before Bowie State went on a 6-0 run to narrow its deficit to 37-29. Frostburg State responded and expanded its lead, leaving the Bulldogs trailing 48-37 heading into halftime.
Following halftime, BSU kept the Bobcats from growing their lead before going on a 6-0 run to trim its deficit to 56-51 with 1:03 to go in the third. The Bobcats countered and stretched its lead to 60-53 heading into the fourth. The Bulldogs took advantage of seven Frostburg State turnovers in the quarter, scoring eight points off of takeaways.
Bowie State narrowed its deficit to 62-56 before going on a 9-0 run, finished off by Robyn Howard's three, to seize a 65-62 lead with 4:11 to go in the fourth. The Bobcats then fought back to even things up at 72-72 and send the game to overtime. Bowie State took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring 12 of its 19 points in the paint.
BSU grabbed an 81-80 lead with 1:42 left in the first overtime before going on an 8-0 run to grow its advantage to 89-80 with 28 seconds to go in the period, a score which would hold for the rest of the game.
Game Notes
» The Bulldogs rallied from a seven-point 60-53 third quarter deficit to force the game into overtime.
» BSU rallied from an 11-point 48-37 halftime deficit to force overtime and ultimately pick up the victory.
» The Bulldogs made half of their attempts from three point range, knocking down seven of 14 shots.
» Five Bowie State players scored 10 or more points.
» The Bowie State defense forced 21 turnovers.
» Harris led the Bulldogs with 22 points.
» Bowie State got eight rebounds from both Howard and Beulah Odiong.
Looking Ahead
Bowie State will resume CIAA play beginning Jan. 4 at Fayetteville State, St. Augustine's (Jan. 6) and Shaw (Jan. 13) with all games on the road.
For the most up-to-date information on Bowie State Athletics and its 13 varsity sport teams, visit bsubulldogs.com.
