WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. --The Bowie State women's basketball team scored 37 points off turnovers on the way to a 73-52 win over the Winston-Salem State Rams (2-7, 0-2 CIAA) on the road Tuesday evening inside the C.E. Gaines Center.
The Bulldogs (9-4, 3-0 CIAA) had three players score in double figures, led by Destiny Ryles, who recorded a double-double with 27 points and 11 steals. Mia Smith tacked on 13 points, three rebounds, and two steals, while Shelby Ricks helped with 12 points and four rebounds.
Beulah Odiong pulled seven offensive rebounds to pace an offense that racked up second-chance opportunities for Bowie State, grabbing 14 boards and turning them into 23 second-chance points. The Bulldogs tallied 21 steals, doubling Winston-Salem State's 10.
Bowie State forced 30 Winston-Salem turnovers while committing 14 themselves in Tuesday's game. The Bulldogs turned those takeaways into 37 points on the offensive end of the floor. Ryles' 11 steals led the way for Bowie State. BSU's largest lead reached 25 points in the victory.
How It Happened
Bowie State started strong, putting together a 12-9 lead heading into the second quarter. Bulldogs relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down two shots to account for six of its 12 points.
BSU kept its first-quarter lead intact before going on a 5-0 run starting at the 2:52 mark in the second period, highlighted by a three from Smith, to increase its lead to 28-21. The Rams cut into that lead, but the Bulldogs still enjoyed a 32-27 advantage heading into halftime. Bowie State was strong from deep in the period, knocking down four three-point shots to account for 12 of its 20 points.
Bulldogs wasted no time building on its lead, going on a 10-0 run, punctuated by a three from Smith, to expand its lead further to 42-27 with 7:39 to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Rams had cut into that lead somewhat, but the BSU still entered the fourth quarter with a 56-42 edge. Bowie State played well near the basket, scoring 14 of its 24 points in the paint.
BSU kept widening that lead, expanding it to 65-47 before going on a 7-0 run, finished off by Ryles' layup, to grow the lead to 72-47 with 3:27 to go in the contest. The Rams narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Bulldogs still cruised the rest of the way for the 73-52 win. Bowie State took advantage of seven Winston-Salem turnovers in the quarter, scoring nine points off of those takeaways.
Game Notes
» Ryles notched a double-double for the Bulldogs with 27 points and 11 steals.
» Bowie State lit it up from three-point land, knocking down 10 treys in the game.
» The Bulldogs never trailed after taking a 12-9 first quarter lead.
» BSU tallied 16 total assists in the game.
» The Bulldogs turned 30 turnovers into 37 points on first-quarter the offensive end.
» Bowie State forced 30 Winston-Salem turnovers while committing only 14 on the other end.
» Ryles swiped 11 steals for the Bulldogs in the game.
» BSU defense forced 30 turnovers.
» Bowie State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 14 offensive boards in the game.
» Ryles led the Bulldogs with a game-high 27 points.
» BSU got a game-high 10 rebounds from Odiong.
Up Next
The Bulldogs will continue their road stint to Salisbury, NC to take on opponent Livingstone College, in a Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) cross division tilt on Thursday, Dec.19 at 5:30 p.m. on the road inside New Trent Gymnasium.
For the most up-to-date information on Bowie State Athletics and its 13 varsity sport teams, visit bsubulldogs.com
