BALTIMORE, MD – Mia Smith recorded a double-double to help lead the Bowie State women's basketball team (19-11) over the Livingstone Lady Blue Bears (11-16) 68-54 at CFG Bank Arena Thursday night during the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Women's Basketball Tournament Quarterfinal to secure a spot in the tournament's semifinal round.

The Bulldogs had four players score in double figures, led by Destiny Ryles, who had 21 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four steals while Shelby Ricks added 15 points and the game MVP Smith chipped in 12 points and 10 rebounds. Ricks pulled down three offensive rebounds to lead an offense that racked up second chance opportunities for Bowie State, grabbing 17 boards and turning them into 12 second chance points.

BSU's defense held Livingstone shooters to only 31.6 percent from the field. Bowie State took advantage of seven Livingstone turnovers in the quarter, scoring four points off of those takeaways.

How It Happened
After falling behind 4-2, BSU went on a 7-0 run with 6:37 left in the first quarter, culminating in a three from Ayasha Thomas, to take a 9-4 lead. The Bulldogs then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter break with a 15-13 advantage. Bowie State capitalized on four Livingstone turnovers in the period, turning them into six points on the other end of the floor.

Bowie State kept its first quarter lead intact before going on a 12-0 run starting at the 5:54 mark in the second period to increase its lead to 33-20, a score that would hold until halftime. The Bulldogs forced seven LC turnovers in the period and turned them into six points.

Following intermission, BSU continued to expand its advantage, pushing it to 47-33 before going on a 6-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Ryles, to expand its lead further to 53-33 with zero seconds to go in the third, a score which remained until the end of the third quarter. Bowie State played well near the basket, scoring 10 of its 20 points in the paint.

The Bulldogs then held on for the victory in the fourth quarter.

Game Notes
» Smith notched a double-double for the Bulldogs with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
» The Bulldogs held the Blue Bears to only 31.6 percent shooting from the field.
» Bowie State never trailed in the second half on its way to victory.
» BSU's defense forced 21 turnovers.
» Ryles led the Bulldogs with a game-high 21 points.
» BSU got a team-high 10 rebounds from Smith.

Up Next
The Bulldogs will take on North No.1 Virginia State during the semifinal round of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Women's Basketball Tournament on Friday, Feb. 28 at 12 p.m. inside the CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore, Md.

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