BOWIE, MD — The Bowie State men's and women's basketball teams are set to face Claflin University on Thursday, Jan. 8, opening a six-game road stretch. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. for the women's game, followed by the men's at 7:30 p.m., inside Tullis Arena in Orangeburg, S.C.

When: Thursday, Jan. 8 | 5:30 p.m. (WBB), 7:30 p.m. (MBB)
Where: Tullis Arena (Orangeburg, S.C.)
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Women's Basketball Game Series

• Bowie State holds a 7–0 all-time advantage over CU in women's basketball, with the series dating back to 2018.
• The Bulldogs are undefeated both at home (4–0) and on the road (3–0) against the Lady Panthers.
• BSU has relied on defense throughout the series, highlighted by a 53–45 overtime win in the most recent meeting.
• Bowie State's largest margin of victory in the series was a 67–37 win in 2019.

Scouting the Bulldog Women
The Bulldogs enter the contest sitting third in the Northern Division with an 8–4 overall record and a 1–2 conference mark. Bowie State allows just 55.3 points per game while averaging 67.8 points on offense, ranking among the CIAA's top defensive units and third nationally in Division II in total defense.

Afia Owusu-Mensah leads the Bulldogs at 9.6 points per game, with Malaka Cobb (9.8 ppg) and Mia Smith (9.8 ppg) providing consistent scoring. Bowie State is most effective at the free-throw line, leading the CIAA at 76.4 percent, as Cobb and Kristin Sterling rank first and second in the conference in free-throw percentage.

The Bulldogs control the paint on both ends of the floor, averaging 41.3 rebounds and 6.3 blocks per game. Bowie State ranks second in the CIAA in rebounding and blocks, while Jada Bouknight anchors the defense, ranking second in the conference and 13th nationally in Division II in blocked shots and earning CIAA Defensive Player of the Week honors this past week.

Bowie State is coming off a 54–50 loss to Johnson C. Smith in its most recent outing. The Bulldogs held JCSU to 34.7 percent shooting and forced 20 turnovers, but struggled offensively, shooting 32.6 percent from the field in the CIAA matchup.

Scouting the Claflin Lady Panthers

• Claflin (7-2, 3-0 CIAA) enters Thursday's tilt ranked second in the CIAA Southern Division and remains unbeaten in conference play.
• The Lady Panthers are first in the CIAA in scoring defense, allowing just 51.8 points per game while holding opponents to 33.0% shooting.
• CU averages 75.3 points per game and boasts a +23.6 scoring margin, one of the best in the league.
• The Lady Panthers rank third in the CIAA in three-pointers made, with three players ranked in the top 10 in threes per game.
•  Ashari Lewis ranks second in the CIAA in scoring (16.2 ppg) and anchors the offense.
• Mia Lewis ranks ninth in the CIAA in assists, helping Claflin lead the conference in assists per game.

Men's Basketball Game Series

• BSU is 1–6 all-time vs. CU, with the Panthers holding the series edge.
• The Bulldogs' only win came on Dec. 14, 2019 (67-53 at home); BSU has dropped the last five meetings.
• Recent matchups include Claflin's 80-58 road win in the most recent game (Dec. 7, 2024) and an 82-67 win in Orangeburg (Dec. 9, 2023).

Scouting the Bulldog Men
BSU enters the matchup positioned third in the CIAA Northern Division, averaging 70.0 points per game while leaning on experienced guard play to set the tone offensively.

Jaiden McGhee leads the Bulldogs and ranks 10th in the CIAA in scoring, averaging 14.2 points per game. Guy Fauntleroy (12.4 ppg) and KJ West (12.4 ppg) add consistent scoring support, giving Bowie State three players averaging double figures.

Bowie State is steady at the free-throw line, with two Bulldogs ranked among the CIAA's top 12 in free-throw percentage. McGhee is shooting 78.0 percent, while West is connecting at a 74.6 percent clip. From the perimeter, Fauntleroy ranks third in the CIAA in three-point shooting, hitting 37.8 percent from beyond the arc.

The Bulldogs' backcourt also distributes efficiently, as West ranks ninth in the CIAA in assists (2.8 per game), followed by Fauntleroy at 12th (2.4 per game). Defensively, Fauntleroy is active in passing lanes, ranking ninth in the conference in steals, averaging 1.6 steals per game, and was named CIAA Player of the Week this past week after his performances against Shaw University.

Scouting the Claflin Panthers

• CU enters the contest at 6–6 overall and 3–0 in CIAA play, with conference road wins over Bluefield State, Virginia State, and Elizabeth City State.
• The Panthers average 82.6 points per game while allowing 82.9 (–0.3 scoring margin), playing at one of the faster tempos in the league.
• Claflin shoots 43.7% from the field, 31.0% from three-point range, and 66.5% at the free-throw line.
• The Panthers average 40.9 rebounds per game, holding a slight edge on the glass, led by Alex Atkinson at 8.8 rebounds per game.
• Ramere Draper leads Claflin in scoring at 13.0 points per game, shooting 48.2% from the field and 40.0% from three-point range.
• Alex Atkinson adds 12.2 points and 8.8 rebounds per game, while Braylon Jackson (9.5 ppg) and Cristian Sanon (21 made threes) provide consistent perimeter scoring.

Up Next
The Bulldogs continue their road stretch with a trip to Fayetteville, N.C., to face Fayetteville State in a primetime doubleheader airing live on HBCU Go from Capel Arena. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. for the women's game, followed by the men's contest at 3:30 p.m.

For the latest information on Bowie State Athletics and its 14 varsity sports, visit bsubulldogs.com.