Virginia State wins rematch against Bulldogs 89-66

By Kevin Parrish

Bowie State University Athletics

ETTRICK, Va. – A rough shooting night for Bowie State was the main factor in their 89-66 loss to Virginia State University. The loss dropped the Bulldogs to 15-10 overall, 7-5 in conference play and 3-2 against division opponents. The Trojans, who hold the best record in the conference, are now 17-7 overall record, 10-2 in conference play and 3-2 against division opponents.

In the first half, the Bulldogs shot 35 percent (8-of-23) from the field, 38 percent (3-of-8) from long distance and made 67 percent (12-of-18) of its free throws. Things didn’t get much better in the second half as they shot 30 percent (8-of-27) from the field, 33 percent (3-of-9) from deep and made 67 percent (16-of-24) of its free throws.

Another factor in the game was the Trojans ability to control the game. Virginia State opened the game with a 12-1 lead, just minutes after the opening tip. They would hold on to the lead for the rest of the half, and the remainder of the game. Virginia State entered halftime with a 17-point lead, 48-31. 

Virginia State also held the advantage in points in the paint (21-10), points off turnovers (14-7), second-chance points (6-0), fast-break points (7-0), and points off the bench (29-26). The second half was a continuation of the first half as Bowie State struggled to hit shots, and the Trojans kept pouring in points. Virginia State saw its lead grow as high as 24 points at the 6:22 mark.

Francis Fitzgerald led four Virginia State players in double figure scoring with 17 points while Antwan Miles and Armond Griebe chipped in 13 and 12 points respectively.  William Vedder rounded the Trojans double figure scorers with 11 points. As a team, Virginia State shot 58 percent (31-of-54) from the field, 47 percent (8-of-17) from deep and knocked down 76 percent (19-of-25) of its free throws.

Although it was not the Bulldogs’ night on offense, senior Cameron Hayes (Upper Marlboro, Md.) led the three double-digit scorers with 21 points on 6-of-15 shooting from the field. Senior Juwan Smith (Lexington Park, Md.) continued his scoring outbreak with 15 points, and senior David Belle (Hyattsville, Md.) followed up with 11 points.

The Bulldogs will travel to Elizabeth City (N.C.) State on Thursday (2/13) for a battle against the Vikings in the R.L. Vaughan Center. Game time will be 7:30 p.m.