CHARLOTTE, NC --Destiny Ryles tacked in 21 points to help lead the Bowie State women's basketball team past the Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls (3-5, 1-1 CIAA) 71-58 on the road inside the Brayboy Gymnasium Monday afternoon in its conference opener.

The Bulldogs (5-2, 1-0 CIAA) had three players score in double figures, led by Ryles, who had 21 points, three assist, and three steals. Ayasha Thomas added 14 points and six rebounds from the bench and Mia Smith helped out with 12 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals. 

Bowie State out-rebounded Johnson C. Smith 31-21 in Monday's game, led by seven boards from Beulah Odiong. BSU shot 50 percent from the field and held the Golden Bulls to 42.0 percent. The Bulldogs had 22 fast-break points,outscoring their opponents, JCSU who had 13. BSU outscored Johnson C. Smith in bench points, 18-15. 

BSU defense was effective at taking away the basketball in Monday's game, forcing 17 Johnson C. Smith turnovers. Those takeaways turned into 21 points on the offensive end of the floor. The Bulldogs scored 40 points in the paint surpassing JSCU's 28 and only missed only six free throws, finishing with a 76.9 percent from the free throw line. 

How It Happened
After falling behind 12-9, Bowie State went on a 7-0 run with 3:38 left in the first quarter to take a 16-12 lead. The Bulldogs then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter break with a 17-16 advantage. BSU capitalized on five Johnson C. Smith turnovers in the period, turning them into seven points on the other end of the floor.

Johnson C. Smith fought back to tie the game at 26-26 before Bowie State went on a 6-0 run starting at the 3:55 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from Kristin Sterling, to take a 32-26 lead. The Golden Bulls cut into that lead, but the Bulldogs still enjoyed a 32-28 advantage heading into halftime. Bowie State dominated in the paint, scoring 10 of its 15 points close to the basket.

BSU continued to preserve its halftime lead before going on an 8-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Odiong, to expand its lead further to 49-40 with 4:29 to go in the third. Before the third period was over, the Bulldogs added one point to that lead and entered the fourth quarter with a 55-45 edge. Bowie State scored 12 fast break points in the quarter.

Bowie State kept its lead intact before going on a 6-0 run, finished off by Ryles' jumper, to grow the lead to 71-58 with 1:03 to go in the contest, a score which would hold for the rest of the game. BSU took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring 12 of its 16 points in the paint.

Game Notes
» Bowie State had a 31-21 edge on the boards in the win.
» BSU defense forced 17 turnovers.
» Ryles led the Bulldogs with a game-high 21 points.
» Bowie State got seven rebounds from both Odiong and Smith.

Looking Ahead 
The Bulldogs will host University of the District of Columbia in a non-conference showdown Wednesday, Dec.4th. at 5:00 p.m. inside the A.C. Jordan Arena.

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