BOWIE, MD -- Bowie State men's basketball will open the 2024-25 season Friday, Nov. 8, as the Bulldogs host the Bowie State Tip-Off Classic featuring Fayetteville State, Clarion, and Lock Haven through Saturday, Nov. 9, inside A.C. Jordan Arena. All games will be aired live on the Bulldog Sports Network.
Click
HERE for the Tip-Off Classic schedule and team information.
When: Friday, November 8 - Saturday, November 9.
Where: Bowie, MD (A.C. Jordan Arena)
Time: 11/8 (5 PM and 7 PM), 11/9 (5 PM and 7 PM)
Tickets: Click Here
Watch: Bulldog Sports Network
Live Stats: BSUBulldogs.com
Follow on Twitter: @BSU_Sports_Info
Follow on Instagram: @BowieStateBulldogs
Last Season for the Bulldogs
BSU is looking to improve their 12-17 overall record and 6-11 conference record in the 2023-2024 campaign under head coach
Darrell Brooks, who will enter his 14th season at the helm. The Bulldogs had an impressive 8-5 home record last season despite their 3-11 record on the road. Bowie State made it past the opening round of the Central Intercollegiate Athletics Association Basketball Tournament for the first time since the 2022 season after defeating Livingstone College in a tight contest 69-66 in the opening round.
CIAA Predictions
The Bowie State men's basketball team was selected to finish 11th overall in the 2024 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Preseason Poll, announced by the league office back on Oct. 7. The Preseason Teams and Poll were chosen by the league's coaches and Sports Information Directors. Lincoln University (PA) was voted to win the CIAA Championship, followed by Claflin at No. 2, Fayetteville State at No. 3, Virginia Union at No. 4, and Winston-Salem State at No. 5.
The Newcomers
BSU will introduce seven newcomers, including five transfers for the 2024-25 season. Of the five transfers, one came from a Division I program. Guard
Elijah Davis, a transfer from the University of the Incarnate Word, appeared in 28 games, starting in 14 of them in the 2023-2024 season. Davis averaged 4.2 points, 3.1 assists, and 2.7 rebounds. Another standout transfer is
Justin Morrisey from Fredrick Community College. Morrisey averaged 22.9 points and 5.4 assists while shooting 41.1% from three-point land.
The Returners
The Bulldogs lost a few key players due to graduation but retained eight players from last year's roster. BSU's leading scorer,
Warren Mouganda, returns looking to build off a positive year where he posted 14.1 points per game. 2023-2024 CIAA Rookie of the Year
Kevon Corley returns as well after posting a respectable 7 points and 2.2 rebounds while shooting 46% from the field. Senior guard
Caleb Johnson is the only returning senior. Johnson played a key factor on offense, posting his best season as a Bulldog last season with 11.0 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.1 rebounds.
About Fayetteville State
Predicted as the second-best team in the CIAA, the Fayetteville State Broncos are coming off an 18-13 overall record and an 11-7 mark in league action last season. FSU made it to the CIAA championship game last season but unfortunately fell to Lincoln University (PA). The Broncos return five student-athletes this season, with All-Conference performer Tairell Fletcher returning.
He led the Broncos in scoring with 14 points per game after scoring double-digits in 21 games. Caleb Simmons, who led the team in rebounds with 6.5 per game, ranked second on the team in scoring with 13.2 ppg. Head Coach Luke D'Alessio will return for his fifth season on the court for the Broncos. In D'Alessio's three seasons at the helm, he has led FSU to a 63-30 overall record and one CIAA championship in 2022.
About Clarion
A Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) member, Clarion University is coming off an 8-20 overall record and a 6-16 record in the PSAC last season as they finished eighth in the west division. The Golden Eagles' best stretch last season was a three-game win streak throughout the early going of the 2023-2024 season. Returning this season is leading scorer Cam Kearney, who posted his best season with 16.6 ppg, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists. Damian Pitts leads the Golden Eagles in his sixth season as head coach of the team.
About Lock Haven
Also, a member of the PSAC, Lock Haven enters the tip-off classic with a fifth-place finish out of nine teams in the conference order of predictions from the Eastern Division. In the 2023-2024 season, the Bald Eagles made it to the PSAC final four but ultimately fell short after losing to California University (PA). Lock Haven has ten returning players led by Eli Washington, who was second on the team in points per game with 16 a game. PSAC Head Coach of the Year Mike Nestor will enter his 14th season at the helm of Lock Haven's men's basketball program.
Looking Ahead
Following the Bowie State Tip-Off Classic, the Bulldogs will remain home to host Cheyney University in non-conference action on Wednesday, Nov. 13, at 7 p.m. from A.C. Jordan Arena. BSU is 6-1 all-time against the Marauders and won their last meeting 104-62.
For the most up-to-date information on Bowie State Athletics and its 13 varsity sport teams, visit bsubulldogs.com.
