BOWIE, MD — The Bowie State women's basketball team (8-3, 1-1 CIAA) opens the New Year with a Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) conference matchup against Johnson C. Smith University (4-5, 1-0 CIAA) on Saturday, Jan. 3, inside A.C. Jordan Arena. Tip-off is slated for 1:00 p.m.
 
Game Information
When: Saturday, Jan. 3 at 1:00 p.m.
Where: A.C. Jordan Arena (Bowie, MD)
Watch: Click Here
Live Stats: Click Here
Tickets: Click Here
Twitter: @BSU_Sports_Info
Instagram: @BowieStateBulldogs

Clear Bag Policy
Fans may only bring the following items into the arena (all items are subject to search):

• Clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags not exceeding 12" x 6" x 12"
• One-gallon clear plastic freezer bags (such as Ziploc)
• Small clutch bags measuring 4.5" x 6.5", with or without a strap

All other bags are prohibited, including purses, backpacks, non-clear drawstring bags, briefcases, coolers, fanny packs, luggage, computer bags, camera bags, binocular cases, and diaper bags. Fans are encouraged to return unapproved items to their vehicles. Bowie State University cannot store items that are not permitted in the arena.

The Series

• Bowie State and Johnson C. Smith have met regularly in CIAA play since 2009, with JCSU holding a 11-12 edge in the all-time series.
• BSU earned a 71–58 road victory over JCSU on Dec. 2, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C.
• The Bulldogs have won three straight games in the series, matching their longest winning streak against the Golden Bulls.
• Bowie State has found more success at home in the series, while road wins in Charlotte have been harder to come by.

Statistical Leaders

• Bowie State ranks among the CIAA's top teams in scoring offense (69.4 ppg) and scoring defense (55.4 ppg).
• The Bulldogs lead the conference in free-throw percentage (77.5%) and rank near the top in rebounding (42.1 rpg).
• BSU is one of the CIAA's premier defensive teams, averaging 6.3 blocks and 10.7 steals per game.
• Jada Bouknight leads the team with 23 blocks, ranking among the CIAA leaders, while Chaniya Taylor (12 blocks) and Kristin Sterling (10 blocks) anchor the interior defense.
• Three Bulldogs rank among the team's top free-throw shooters: Taylor Timms (100.0%), Malaka Cobb (86.1%), and Kristin Sterling (86.1%).

Scouting Bowie State
The Bulldogs are a defense-first team that thrives on physical play, rebounding, and forcing turnovers. BSU allows just 55.4 points per game while holding opponents to 32.4 percent shooting from the field. Bowie State forces 20.1 opponent turnovers per contest, fueled by aggressive on-ball pressure, and ranks among the conference leaders in both steals and blocks.

Offensively, Bowie State averages 69.4 points per game with balanced scoring throughout the lineup. Mia Smith (10.7 ppg), Cobb (10.4 ppg), and Afia Owusu-Mensah (10.0 ppg) lead the attack. Smith shoots 45.4 percent from the field, while Cobb is a steady presence at the free-throw line, converting better than 86 percent.
 
On the glass, the Bulldogs average 42.1 rebounds per game, led by Sterling (5.9 rpg) and Taylor (5.9 rpg). BSU also excels at the charity stripe, making 18.2 free throws per game.

Scouting Johnson C. Smith University

• Johnson C. Smith is 4-5 overall and 1-0 in CIAA play after a 57-46 win over Johnson & Wales Charlotte on Dec. 31.
• The Golden Bulls average 56.7 points per game and allow 54.3, owning a +2.3 scoring margin.
• JCSU averages 38.1 rebounds per game, holding a +5.1 rebounding margin.
• La'niya Simes leads the team with 12.0 points and 10.2 rebounds per game, anchoring the paint.
• Salote Franklin adds 10.1 points and 8.1 rebounds per game and leads the team with nine blocks.
• Tameia Shaw contributes 8.4 points per game and leads the team in assists (21).
• The Golden Bulls average 18.9 turnovers per game but force 20.9 opponent turnovers, generating 12.2 steals per contest.

Up Next
The Bulldogs begin a three-game road stretch on Thursday, Jan. 8, traveling south to face Claflin University at 5:30 p.m. inside Tullis Arena in Orangeburg, S.C.
 
For the latest information on Bowie State Athletics and its 14 varsity sports, visit bsubulldogs.com.