BOWIE, MD — The No. 4 Bowie State men's basketball team will take on South No. 5 Livingstone College during the opening round of the 2026 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Men's Basketball Tournament on Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 8:50 p.m inside the CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore, Md.
 
This matchup will be broadcast exclusively on ESPN+ (https://plus.espn.com/), with the championship game also being shown on ESPNU.
  
When: Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 8:50 p.m. (ET)
Where: Baltimore, MD (CFG Bank Arena)
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The Series

• Bowie State returns to the CIAA Men's Basketball Tournament, facing Livingstone College in the opening round for the third straight year.
• The Bulldogs have won the last two tournament matchups against the Blue Bears, 69-66 (2024) and 68-64 (2025), and look to make it three consecutive postseason wins in the series.
• BSU leads the all-time series 16-13 (since 2008) and enters on a two-game winning streak, including a 77-72 victory over Livingstone on Dec. 15, 2025.
• The rivalry has been tightly contested: the teams are 5-5 in the last 10 meetings, average 71.6 points per game in the series, and have produced multiple one-possession games, setting the stage for another competitive tournament battle.

Scouting Bowie State 
North No. 4 Bowie State  (7-21, 5-11 CIAA, 2-8 North) enters the CIAA Men's Basketball Tournament with two All-Conference selections and one of the more disruptive backcourts in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association.

The Bulldogs placed guard Jaiden McGhee on the All-CIAA Second Team, while forward Charles Thomas, III earned CIAA All-Rookie Team honors. McGhee leads the team in scoring at 12.7 points per game, adding 4.8 rebounds per game, while Thomas has emerged as a key contributor, averaging 8.2 points and 3.8 rebounds per game in his freshman campaign.

Offensively, BSU averages 68.5 points per game and shoots 40.1 percent from the field. The Bulldogs are led by guard KJ West, who ranks 10th in the CIAA in scoring (14.4 ppg) and fourth in the conference in assists (68 total, 3.1 per game). West also contributes 5.9 rebounds per game, making him one of the most versatile guards in the league.

McGhee ranks 15th in the CIAA in scoring, providing a consistent secondary scoring option and perimeter threat. Meanwhile, guard Guy Fauntleroy is one of the conference's top shooters, ranking fourth in the CIAA in three-pointers made (57). Fauntleroy averages 11.1 points per game and stretches defenses with his ability to score from deep.

Defensively, Bowie State has created opportunities with active hands, recording 220 steals (7.9 per game), ranking among the top five in the CIAA. The Bulldogs also average 3.6 blocks per game, adding interior resistance on the defensive end.
   
Scouting Livingstone  
South No. 5 Livingstone College (11-16, 6-10 CIAA, 3-7 South) enters the tournament as one of the more balanced offensive teams in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, combining perimeter efficiency with strong rebounding and rim protection.

Livingstone averages 72.6 points per game while shooting 41.3 percent from the field and 34.6 percent from three-point range, ranking second in the CIAA in three-point percentage. The Blue Bears average 5.7 three-pointers made per game, consistently spacing the floor and forcing defenses to guard beyond the arc.

On the glass, Livingstone ranks fourth in the CIAA in total rebounds (38.4 per game) and second in offensive rebounds, totaling 350 offensive boards on the season. Their ability to create second-chance opportunities is a major component of their offensive production.

Defensively, the Blue Bears protect the rim at a high level, ranking fourth in the CIAA in blocks (4.7 per game) with 121 total blocks this season.

Leading the interior presence is Omarion Bodrick, who ranks:

• Fourth in the CIAA in rebounds (7.2 rpg)
• Third in the CIAA in blocks (50 total, 1.9 per game)

Bodrick anchors the paint on both ends, impacting shots defensively while contributing as a physical rebounder.

Offensively, James Nipper is LC's lone All-Conference selection, earning All-CIAA Second Team honors. Nipper leads the team with 12.2 points per game, adding 4.2 rebounds per game and 42 assists, totaling 306 points this season. He serves as the Blue Bears' primary scoring option and late-game decision-maker.

On the perimeter, Jacob Hunkins ranks seventh in the CIAA in three-pointers made (48) and shoots 35.0 percent from beyond the arc, providing consistent floor spacing. 

At Stake
The winner between Bowie State and Livingstone will face the South No. 1 Fayetteville State on Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 8:50 p.m. inside CFG Bank Arena.
  
For the most up-to-date information on Bowie State Athletics and its 13 varsity sports teams, visit bsubulldogs.com.