BOWIE, MD – The Bowie State women's basketball team continues their road skid, traveling to Salisbury, N.C. on Thursday, Dec. 19 to face the Livingstone College Blue Bears for a Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) cross-division showdown. Tip-off is set to start at 5:30 p.m. inside the New Trent Gymnasium.

When: Thursday, December 18 at 5:30 p.m. 
Where: Salisbury, NC (New Trent Gymnasium) 
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The Series

• This will be the 19th time the two programs have meet since 2008. 
• Bowie State is 7-3 in the last 10 matchups and 5-3 on the road against the Lady Blue Bears.
• The Bulldogs won its last outing against LC inside the A.C. Jordan Arena, 68-61 on Dec. 16, 2023.

Last Timeout for the Bulldogs 
The Bulldogs (9-2, 3-0 CIAA,) got redemption against CIAA foe Winston-Salem State extending their winning streak to eight on the road Tuesday evening 73-52. The Bulldogs were led by Destiny Ryles who recorded a double-double recording 27 points, 11 steals, and eight assists. Mia Smith helped with 13 points, three rebounds, and two steals, while Shelby Ricks contributed with 12 points and four rebounds.

Bowie State defenders forced 30 turnovers while committing only 14 against WSSU. The Bulldogs recorded 21 steals, doubling the 10 by Winston-Salem State. BSU dominated in the paint scoring a total of 36 points. The Bulldogs scored 23 second-chance points compared to just six by Winston-Salem State. Bowie State demonstrated outstanding ball movement, recording 16 assists. BSU scored 37 points off of turnovers in the win. 

Bowie State Standouts
In 11 games,these players have consistently led the team on the court. Ryles leads the team in the following: 20.2 points per game, 5.1 steals per outing, and 4.6 assists per game. Ryles leads the conference in points,assists, and steals. Beulah Odiong is the team's rebounder averaging 8.3 per outing. Odiong has recorded 39 rebounds in the last four games. Smith controls with 0.9 blocks per game, disrupting the opponent's offensive flow. Bowie State ranks fourth in defense and fifth in offense in the league. 
 
About Livingstone 
LC enters Thursday's match (3-8, 1-1 CIAA) losing their last meeting against CIAA foe Virginia Union University this past Tuesday 79-73 at home. Morgan Kelson led the Blue Bears with 19 points and eight rebounds, while Thalia Carter contributed with 16 points, eight rebounds, and two assists. Additionally, Samiyah Briggs recorded a season-high 11 points. The Blue Bears shot 79.2 percent from the free-throw line and recorded 24 bench points in the loss.

This is head coach Queen Smith's second season with LC, as the Blue Bears went 7-15 overall and 5-13 in the conference during the 2023-24 season. The 2024-2025 roster has five returning players and 11 newcomers. The Blue Bears were selected to finish 12th in the CIAA Preseason All-Conference Team. 

LC is averaging 68.4 points, 40.6 rebounds, 10.3 assists, and 10.3 steals through 11 games this season. Carter leads the team in the following categories: 14.2 points per game, 2.0 steals per outing, and 1.9 assists per game. Defensively, Kelson leads the team in rebounds averaging 11.2 per game, while Bria Griffith controls with 0.5 blocks per outing. Livingstone ranks second in team rebounds averaging 40.6 per game and offensive rebounds with 15.9 rebounds per outing, respectively.

Up Next
Bowie State will continue its road stint to finish out the calendar year traveling to Boca Raton, FL  for the Palm Beach Atlantic Classic taking on the Palm Beach Atlantic University on Saturday, Dec.21 at 1:00 p.m. followed by the Lynn University Sunday, Dec.22 at 2:00 p.m. inside Rubin Arena.

For the most up-to-date information on Bowie State Athletics and its 13 varsity sport teams, visit bsubulldogs.com.