Jan. 26, 2008

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Make it two in a row this season for Bowie State against Johnson C. Smith, as the Bulldogs come away with an 81-74 victory to sweep the regular season series. Bowie State's record improves to 12-6 (7-4 in the CIAA) but drops Johnson C. Smith to 11-7 on the year and 5-5 in the conference.

It was bombs away in the first half as the Bulldogs and Golden Bulls combined for 20 first half 3-point attempts. Bowie State stuck seven-of-13 behind the arc and Johnson C. Smith made six-of-seven. Johnson C. Smith led by six (27-21) at the 6:09 mark, but BSU sophomore Christian Jackson and senior Carlos Williams knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers to tie things up at 30-30, capping off a 7-3 Bulldogs run. JCSU's Maurice Hooper (Reidsville, N.C.) nailed a triple in front of the BSU bench to give the Golden Bulls a 36-35 lead with 35 seconds left before intermission. However, senior Orlando Wright answered with a triple of his own to send the Bulldogs into the break leading 37-36. The Golden Bulls ended the half shooting 70 percent (14-of-20) compared to 43.3 percent (13-of-30) for the Bulldogs. The first half also featured seven ties and eight lead changes.

Johnson C. Smith opened up a four point lead (53-49) following a reverse lay-up by Ryan Scott (Reston, Va.) and a baseline jumper by Hooper with just over 14 minutes left to play. Wright knotted the game at 56-56 on a reverse lay-up but Jerry Hollis (Charlotte, N.C.) responded with a jumper to shift the lead back to JCSU. The Bulldogs regained the lead at 62-58 after back-to-back 3-pointers by Jason Ingram and Wright and the Bulldogs would not relinquish the lead rest of the night.

Bowie State was led by senior Joshua Johnson's 21 points on eight-of 12 shooting from the field. Wright and Ingram chipped in 12 and 11 points respectively and Jackson along with David Paris added 10 points each.

Ronald Thornhill (Alberta, Va.) led Johnson C. Smith with 19 points. Scott and Hooper finished the night with 12 points apiece and Hollis ended the game with 10 points.

Johnson C. Smith returns to action - Thursday (1/31) against St. Paul's College in Lawrenceville (VA) with game time set for 7:30 p.m. Bowie State travels to the Carolina coastline to take on the Vikings of Elizabeth City State - Tuesday (1/29) at 7:30 p.m.