BOWIE, MD – The Bowie State women's basketball team will host the University of the District of Columbia Fire Birds at home on Wednesday, Dec. 4, in a non-conference tilt. The game is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. inside the A.C. Jordan Arena, serving as the opening matchup of the evening's doubleheader. The game will broadcast live on the Bulldog Sports Network.
Tickets can be purchased in the link below.
When:Wednesday, December, 4 at 5:00 p.m.
Where:Bowie, MD (A.C. Jordan Arena)
Tickets: CLICK HERE
Watch: BSUBulldogs.com
Live Stats: BSUBulldogs.com
Follow on Twitter: @BSU_Sports_Info
Follow on Instagram: @BowieStateBulldogs
Clear Bag Policy
Fans will only be able to carry the following style and size bag into the stadium all of which are subject to search.
• Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC and do not exceed 12" x 6" x 12"
• One-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc bag or similar)
• Small clutch bags, measuring 4.5" x 6.5" with or without a handle or strap
• All other bags will not be permitted. A list of prohibited bags includes but is not limited to: purses, backpacks, drawstring bags that are not clear, briefcases, coolers, fanny packs, luggage, computer bags, camera bags, binocular cases, and diaper bags. Guests are encouraged to return unauthorized items to their vehicles. Bowie State University cannot safeguard items that are not permitted into the stadium.
The Series
Last Whistle
The Bulldogs (5-2, 1-0 CIAA) won its last outing against conference foe Johnson C. Smith (3-5, 1-1 CIAA) 71-58 on the road Monday for its conference opener. CIAA Player of the Week Destiny Ryles led the way for the Bulldogs to finish with 21 points, four rebounds, three steals, and three assist. Ayasha Thomas contributed a season-high 14 points and a season-high six rebounds off the bench, while Mia Smith added 12 points, seven rebounds, and four assists. Additionally, CIAA Defensive Player of the week Beulah Odiong tallied nine points and seven rebounds.
Bowie State's bench out rebounded the Golden Bulls, securing 31 boards to their opponent's 21. BSU shot 50 percent from the field and outscored JCSU in bench points 18-15. The Bulldogs scored 14 second-chance points, having Smith and Odiong grabbing seven rebounds each. The Bulldogs scored 22 fast break points and shot 76.9 percent from the free throw line in the win Monday.
CIAA Weekly Honors
On Monday, Ryles was selected as the CIAA Player of the Week. The award is Ryle's second CIAA weekly honor on the year. The Baltimore, Md., native racked up 39 points, nine rebounds, eight steals, and six assists in the last two games. Ryles leads the team in scoring averaging 20.4 points and steals averaging 3.0 points per game.
Odiong garnered the CIAA Defensive Player of the Week honor. The award is Odiong's first on the season and Bowie State's third weekly honor on the season. The hometown native (Bowie, Md.), recorded a season-high 10 points, eight rebounds, and two steals in the win against Shepherd. Odiong leads the Bulldogs in rebounds averaging 7.4 per game.
Bench Unit
The Bulldogs bench have come up big when it comes contributing energy and a change of pace as the starters take a break. Thomas logged 24 points, 10 rebounds, three assist, and three steals in the last two games. Thomas recorded season-high 14 points against Johnson C. Smith while rim protector Kristin Sterling has shown her defensive presence recording 27 rebounds, and six blocks on the season. Sterling is ranked second on the team in blocks averaging 0.9 per game. Freshman Gabrielle Clary has tallied 36 points,15 rebounds, and six steals on the season. Clary registered a season-high 11 points in the win against Goldey-Beacom Nov. 23. BSU have accumulated 104 points from the bench and have outscored their opponents in four of their seven games. Bowie State ranks fourth in the conference in blocks averaging 3.75 per game.
About University of the District of Columbia
The University of the District of Columbia, a member of the East Coast Conference (ECC), enters Wednesday contest standing 1-5 overall, following loss against Virginia Union, 90-64 on the road Saturday. Laci Johnson led the Fire Birds with a season-high 23 points and two rebounds, while Tania Hill recorded a double-double season-high 13 points,10 rebounds, and five steals. UDC shot 73.3 percent from the free throw line, only missing four shots from the line.
This is head coach John Nakpodia's seventh season with UDC, as the Fire Birds went 20-10 overall and 12-5 in the conference in the 2023-24 season. The 2024-2025 roster has seven returners and four newcomers. The Fire Birds were selected to finish third in the ECC Preseason Poll.
UDC is averaging 63.3 points, 40.0 rebounds, 13.0 assists, and 8.7 steals through six games this season. Johnson leads the team, averaging 14.5 points, while Kristian Harris averages 3.0 assist per game. Defensively, Tani Hill leads the team in rebounds averaging 6.0 per game and averages 1.8 steals per game. Additionally, Jada Bouknight controls, averaging 2.8 blocks per game, respectively.
Looking Ahead
The Bulldogs will remain at home to face Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) opponent Claflin University, Saturday, Dec. 7 at 2:00 p.m. inside the A.C. Jordan Arena.
The contest is one of two games that will be played and is themed as Ugly Sweater Day for the Bulldogs.
For the most up-to-date information on Bowie State Athletics and its 13 varsity sports teams, visit bsubulldogs.com.
