Michelle Fitzgerald (Baltimore, Md./Md. Academy of Tech & Health Science (N.C. A & T)) grabbed a career-high 17 rebounds and recorded her sixth double-double of the season as the Lincoln University women's basketball team defeated Bowie State University 55-46 at the A.C. Jordan Center in Bowie, Maryland Wednesday night.

The Lions complete a regular season series sweep of the Bulldogs with the win, marking the third time in the last four seasons that Lincoln has recorded the season sweep.  Lincoln improves to 14-7 overall win the win and 8-4 in Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) games.  Bowie State falls to 14-7 overall and 7-5 in league play.

Fitzgerald led all players with 13 points and a career-high 17 rebounds.  Teira Pendleton (Baltimore, Md./Baltimore Polytech) added 11 points while Shahra Madison (Chesapeake, Va./Norfolk Collegiate School (Chesapeake College)) scored ten points and grabbed nine rebounds. Pendleton also led the team with three assists

Lea Whitehead led the Bulldogs with ten points while Ty-Nita Baker added nine.  Kyah Proctor led the team with seven rebounds.

The two teams felt each other out over the first 4:29 with four ties and two lead changes.  Following the media timeout, the Lions went on a 9-0 run to take control of the game and lead 17-8 with 2:29 left in quarter.  Madison had five of the nine points during the run with Fitzgerald and Pendleton adding two apiece.  The Bulldogs scored the final four points of the period to pull within five 12-7 heading into the second quarter.

The Lions pushed the lead to double digits in the second quarter, using an 11-2 flourish to take a 28-14 lead with 2:05 left, getting production from five different players.  Pendleton started the scoring with a layup and after a bucket from Baker; Lincoln got field goals from Ashley Paynes-Hightower (Peoria, Ill./Peoria (Harford C.C.)), Diamond Mickle (Fredericksburg, Va./Paul VI Catholic (Harford CC)) and a three-point basket from DeeDee Irwin (Coatesville, Pa./Coatesville Area).  Madison completed the run with two free throws.  The Bulldogs shaved three points off the lead by halftime with the Lions holding a 30-19 lead at the break.

Two quick baskets by the Bulldogs cut the lead to seven 30-23 before Irwin's second three-ball of the night pushed the lead back to ten 33-23.  The lead oscillated between eight and 13 points the rest of the period with the Lions holding a 40-29 advantage after three quarters.

Mickle's two free throws put Lincoln up by 13 early in the fourth quarter before the Bulldogs climbed back into the contest with a 13-3 flourish, cutting the Lions lead to three 45-42 with 3:39 remaining.  The two teams exchanged points over the next minute before Irwin put the Lions up by five with a pair of free throws and Pendleton added another from the charity stripe to make the score 50-44 with 1:19 left.  Whitehead followed with a basket to cut the lead to four before the Lions sealed the win with three free throws in the final 24 seconds.

The Lions shot 32.1% (17-53) from the field for the game while the Bulldogs connected on 28.8% of their shots (21-73).  The Lions held a solid advantage on the free throw line making 19 of 24 (79.2%) while Bowie State made just 2-of-3.   Lincoln held a 51-37 rebounding advantage but also committed 18 turnovers (9 for Bowie St.).

Lincoln returns to action on Saturday, February 10, 2018 when they host Elizabeth City State University at Manuel Rivero Hall.  Tipoff is set for 2:00 p.m.