BOWIE, MD --Destiny Ryles knocked down a game-tying shot with 45 seconds left on the clock to send the game to overtime and Beulah Odiong put the Bowie State women's basketball team ahead for good with 4:40 to go in the extra period to give the Bulldogs a 53-45 win over the Claflin University Lady Panthers(3-4, 0-1 CIAA) at home Saturday afternoon inside the A.C. Jordan Arena .
The Bulldogs (7-2, 2-0 CIAA) had two players score in double figures, led by Destiny Ryles, who had 20 points, five assists and season-high eight steals. Odiong tacked on a double-double with an season-high 12 points and season-high 14 rebounds and Kristin Sterling added seven points and two blocks off the bench.
Odiong pulled down five offensive rebounds to pace an offense that racked up second chance opportunities for Bowie State, grabbing 14 boards and turning them into 12 second chance points.The Bulldogs bench outscored the Lady Panthers bench 13-2 and dominated in the paint once again, scoring 30 points compared to Claflin's 16.
The Bowie State defense held Claflin shooters to only 30.6 percent from the field, including 25 percent from three-point range.BSU picked up the pace with 13 fast-break points, outscoring the Lady Panthers five. The Bulldogs kept their turnovers in check with just 24, while Claflin committed 40 in the win.
How It Happened
Bowie State struggled out of the gate, falling behind 14-9 at the end of the first quarter.
The Bulldogs continued to lose ground in the second quarter and faced a 25-18 halftime deficit.
Claflin continued to increase its lead after halftime, building a 28-20 advantage before Bowie State went on an 8-0 run to tie things up at 28 with 1:55 to go in the third. The Bulldogs could not advance their rally further as the Panthers took a 32-28 lead into the fourth quarter. Bowie State played well near the basket, scoring six of its 10 points in the paint.
CLAF kept widening its lead in the fourth, constructing a 35-30 advantage before BSU went on a 9-0 run, finished off by Ryles' layup, to seize a 39-35 lead with 3:39 to go in the fourth. The Lady Panthers then fought back to even things up at 41-41 and send the game to overtime. Bowie State took advantage of 10 Claflin turnovers in the quarter, scoring six points off of those takeaways.
BSU started overtime with a bang, going on a 12-0 run, finished off by Odiong's layup, to seize a 53-41 lead with 43 seconds to go in the period. The Lady Panthers narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the BSU still cruised the rest of the way for the 53-45 win.
Game Notes
» Odiong notched a double-double for the Bulldogs with 12 points and 14 rebounds.
» The Bowie State rallied from a four-point 32-28 third quarter deficit to force the game into overtime.
» BSU rallied from a seven-point 25-18 halftime deficit to force overtime and ultimately pick up the victory.
» The Bulldogs held the Lady Panthers to only 30.6 percent shooting from the field.
» Ryles and Odiong carried the load for BSU, accounting for 60 percent their points.
» Ryles swiped eight steals for the Bulldogs in the game.
» The Bowie State defense forced 40 turnovers.
» BSU cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 14 offensive boards in the game.
» Ryles led the Bulldogs with 20 points.
» Bowie State got a game-high 14 rebounds from Odiong.
Looking Ahead
Bowie State will remain home to host Wilmington University (Del.), in a non-conference showdown Monday, Dec. 9 at 5:30 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.
