BOWIE, MD -- Beulah Odiong pulled down 11 rebounds, but the Bowie State women's basketball team fell to the Frostburg State Bobcats (3-2) 69-58 at home Tuesday inside A.C. Jordan Arena for its home opener.
The Bulldogs (1-1) had two players score in double figures, led by Destiny Ryles, who had 17 points, nine rebounds and three steals. Mia Smith tacked on 14 points, six rebounds, two steals and four blocks and Ayasha Thomas added nine points.
Odiong pulled down five offensive rebounds to lead an offense that racked up second chance opportunities for BSU, grabbing 19 boards and turning them into 13 second chance points.
The Bulldogs defense forced 19 Bobcats turnovers while committing 16. Those takeaways turned into 15 points on the other end of the floor. Ryles' three steals led the way individually for the Bulldogs. Bowie State took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring 10 of its 19 points in the paint.
How It Happened
BSU fell behind 17-6 at the end of the first quarter. The Bulldogs couldn't find a groove offensively in the second quarter and faced a 33-21 halftime deficit.
After intermission, BSU cut its deficit to 36-28 before going on a 7-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Ryles, to trim its deficit to 36-35 with 3:55 to go in the third. Frostburg State countered and stretched its lead to 46-39 heading into the fourth. Bowie State then took advantage of seven Bobcats turnovers in the quarter, scoring five points off of takeaways.
The Bulldogs came out of the third quarter break clicking on all cylinders, going on a 7-0 run, finished off by Gabriella Clary's jumper, to even the score at 46 all with 8:16 to go in the contest. But ultimately, BSU could not turn their rally into a victory, as the Bobcats outscored them 23-12 the rest of the way to hand Bowie State the 69-58 loss.
Game Notes
» BSU lost despite a 45-40 rebounding advantage.
» The Bulldogs defense forced 19 turnovers.
» BSU cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 19 offensive boards in the game.
» Ryles led the Bulldogs with 17 points.
» Bowie State got a game-high 11 rebounds from Odiong.
Up Next
The Bulldogs will hit the road to Bloomfield, NJ to take on Bloomfield College in a non conference showdown on Thursday, Nov. 21 at 5 p.m. inside the Bloomfield College Gym.
For the most up-to-date information on Bowie State Athletics and its 13 varsity sport teams, visit bsubulldogs.com.
