The Bowie State University men 's basketball team got off to a hot start in the second half as they rallied to defeat Lincoln University 74-65 Wednesday night at the A.C. Jordan Center in Bowie, Maryland
The Lions fall to 10-12 overall with the loss and 5-7 in Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) games. The Bulldogs improve to 12-11 overall and 7-5 in league play.
Josh Page (Washington, D.C./Rock Creek Christian Academy) led the Lions with a career-high 14 points, mostly from a 10-11 effort on the free throw line.
Gevon Arrington (Petersburg, Va./Petersburg (Richard Bland)) and
Cameron Campbell (Fayetteville, N.C./Trinity Christian ) added 13 points apiece while
Deaquan Williams (Camden, N.J./Camden) and
Elijah Bush (Bay Shore, N.Y./Bay Shore (Essex County CC)) scored ten points apiece. Williams also recorded a double-double with 13 rebounds and blocked six shots.
Cameron Hayes led the Bulldogs with 22 points while Omari George added 18 points and ten rebounds. Ahmaad George led the team with four assists.
The Lions scored the final five points in the first half to take a 33-28 lead into the locker room at the break. Bowie State opened the second half with a 17-4 flourish to take an eight point lead 45-37 at the 15:34 mark. Back-to-back dunks by Bush and Campbell brought the Lions back within three at 45-42 before the Bulldogs used a 7-1 flourish to take their biggest lead at 52-43 with 11:50 left in the game. Lincoln again closed within three 62-59 with 4:47 left but this would be as close as the Lions would get. The Bulldogs made eight of ten free throws in the final minute to pull away with the nine point win.
Gevon Arrington (Petersburg, Va./Petersburg (Richard Bland)) and Page combined for 17 first half points as the Lions turned around a five point Bulldog lead in the first half to go up by as many as seven before the Bulldogs rallied to tie the game with 1:07 left in the period. Page connected on three free throws and Williams added a dunk to give the Lions a five point lead at the break.
For the game, the Lions shot 35% (21-60) from the field while Bowie State shot 32.8% (19-58). The Bulldogs doubled up the Lions from deep making six three pointers to LU's three. Bowie State also made ten more free throws (30-20) and committed six fewer turnovers. The Lions held a slight 46-40 rebounding edge.
Lincoln returns to action on Saturday, February 10, 2018 when they host Elizabeth City State University at Manuel Rivero Hall. Tipoff is set for 4:00 p.m.
