BALTIMORE, MD — Bowie State women's basketball advanced to the CIAA Tournament semifinals with a commanding 72-51 quarterfinal victory over Livingstone College inside CFG Bank Arena.

Mayah Garner was named the CIAA Food Lion Game MVP after leading the Bulldogs with 13 points and seven rebounds in the win.

Bowie State capitalized on Livingstone's mistakes, scoring 24 points off turnovers, while dominating the paint with 42 points and outrebounding the Blue Bears 44-33.

The Bulldogs wasted no time setting the tone, as Malaka Cobb scored on a layup just five seconds into the game. Bowie State maintained early control behind strong play from Afia Owusu-Mensah, who knocked down a layup at the 9:43 mark and added a jumper at 6:37. LC answered with inside scoring from Breasia Coit, and Jasiyah Crawford's three-pointer at 1:14 tied the game. Mia Smith's late layup briefly gave BSU the edge, but Coit responded to send the teams into the second quarter tied at 16-16.

Livingstone opened the second quarter on a run, using a three-pointer from Ny'Asia Green and a jumper by Boston Bates to take a 21-18 lead. Bowie State responded midway through the period, as Smith converted a layup before Kristin Sterling tied the game at 25-25 on a dish from Gabriella Clary. The Bulldogs closed the half strong, highlighted by a fastbreak layup from Smith and a Clary three-pointer, taking a 33-25 advantage into the break.

Bowie State created separation in the third quarter with defensive pressure, recording six steals in the period. Garner sparked the offense with eight third-quarter points, including two key free throws late. Sterling added a layup and a jumper, and the Bulldogs outscored Livingstone 19-11 in the frame. Despite early baskets from Coit and Crawford, the Blue Bears struggled with ball security, committing seven turnovers. Smith capped the quarter with a fastbreak layup assisted by Clary to extend the lead to 52-36.

The Bulldogs put the game away in the fourth quarter, thanks to timely shooting and continued defensive intensity. Clary knocked down a three-pointer at the 5:21 mark, Jada Bouknight added key layups inside, and Sydney Anthony converted two free throws late to maintain control. A late three-pointer from Green was not enough, as BSU closed out the 72-51 victory in convincing fashion.

Bowie State Top Performers
Mia Smith

• 11 points
• 4 steals
• 5 rebounds

Mayah Garner

• 13 points
• 7 rebounds
• 1 block

Kristin Sterling

• 8 points
• 4 steals
• 7 rebounds

Jada Bouknight

• 7 points
• 2 blocks

Up Next
The Bulldogs will have a rest day before advancing to the CIAA Semifinal round, where they will face the winner of No. 2 South Fayetteville State University and No. 3 North Virginia Union University on Friday, Feb. 27 at 6 p.m. inside CFG Bank Arena.

For the most up-to-date information on Bowie State Athletics and its 14 varsity sports teams, visit bsubulldogs.com.