BOWIE, MD -- Anii Harris and Jayla Irvin combined to score 32 total points, but the Bowie State women's basketball team fell to the Elizabeth City State (15-9, 7-6 CIAA, 5-1 North) Lady Vikings 65-53 at home Saturday afternoon inside A.C. Jordan Arena for a Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Northern Division tilt.
The Bulldogs (11-11, 5-7 CIAA, 0-5 North) had two players score in double figures, led by Harris, who had 21 points and two steals. Irvin added 11 points, six rebounds and two steals and Mia Smith added nine points and two steals.
BSU out-rebounded ECSU 50-44 in Saturday's game, led by 13 boards from Beulah Odiong. The Bulldogs also grabbed 16 offensive rebounds and scored eight second chance points. Bowie State took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring eight of its 16 points in the paint.
The Bowie State defense held Elizabeth City State shooters to just 34.9 percent from the field, including 29.4 percent from three-point range.
How It Happened
BSU struggled out of the gate, falling behind 13-3 at the end of the first quarter.
ECSU kept adding to that lead, building a 25-14 advantage before Bowie State went on a 6-0 run, highlighted by a bucket from Harris, to narrow its deficit to 25-20, a score that would hold until halftime.
Bowie State's deficit continued to grow after halftime, and the Bulldogs faced a 45-37 disadvantage heading to the fourth quarter. BSU scored five fast break points in the quarter.
Bowie State could not pull any closer in the fourth, losing by a final of 65-53.
Game Notes
» The Bulldogs held the Vikings to only 34.9 percent shooting from the field.
» Harris, Irvin, and Smith combined to account for 77 percent of the Bulldogs points.
» BSU lost despite a 50-44 rebounding advantage.
» The Bowie State defense forced 13 turnovers.
» BSU cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 16 offensive boards in the game.
» Harris led the Bulldogs with 21 points.
» Bowie State got a game-high 13 rebounds from Odiong.
Looking Ahead
Bowie State welcomes Virginia Union to the A.C. Jordan Arena in a divisional matchup on Wednesday, Feb. 14 at 5:30 p.m. (ET) for Military Appreciation and Pink Out night.
For the most up-to-date information on Bowie State Athletics and its 13 varsity sports teams, visit bsubulldogs.com.