#17 Bulldogs Overwhelm Trojans

BOWIE, MD, ---After suffering back-to-back losses for the first time all season, the No. 17 Bowie State University Bulldogs looked to get back on track when they hosted the Trojans of Virginia State University Tuesday night. They got on the track and went full throttle, winning 94-71.

With the win, the Bulldogs improved to 20-3 overall, tying their record for most wins in a season-a record they set last year. More importantly, they improved to 6-2 in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association's Eastern Division, moving into second place as Virginia Union University defeated Shaw University, 73-58, down in Richmond, VA..

There was no slow start for the Bulldogs that marked their recent games. They jumped out to a 7-0 behind five points from Cornelius McMurray and a jumper from Stephen Moss-Kelley. The Bulldogs led by nine at the half, and after the Trojans scored the first four points of the second half, the Bulldogs quickly built the lead back to nine, and 10 points would be as close the Trojans would get the rest of the way.

Moss-Kelley exploded from the field, scoring 21 points while hitting 5-of-6 from 3-point range. That was especially important midway through the second half when backup center Shawn Hampton fouled out and forward Tim Washington was on the bench with four fouls.

The Trojans (7-16, 2-5 Eastern Division) did not take advantage of the Bulldogs' foul trouble as they sank just 16-of-29 from the free throw line. Bryan Scott led the Trojans with 15 points, while Deshone Nichols and Le'Greg Harrison scored 10 points apiece. Freshman Avis Wyatt made his presence felt as he blocked three shots.

The Bulldogs came out with a fury on the boards and were led by Jon Smith who grabbed a game-high 11. He also scored 15 points and helped control the middle with four blocked shots. The Bulldogs held a 45-30 rebounding edge for the night. Despite his foul trouble, Washington would still finish with 14 points, 10 rebounds and four assists.

The Trojans used a 7-0 run to cut the Bulldogs lead to 10 points with just under 10 minutes to play. The Bulldogs responded in kind with free throws from Omarr Smith and one from Arthur Lewis, as well as 3-pointers from Allen Van Norden and Moss-Kelley to build the lead back to 17 and take the wind out of the Trojans' sails.

McMurray would end the night with 14 points and six assists for the Bulldogs and Omarr Smith had 13 points.

The Bulldogs will attempt to set the school record for wins in a season when they face Columbia Union College on Thursday's Senior Night at the A.C. Jordan Arena.