Bowie State advances to Semi-Finals with 76-68 win over Fayetteville State
February 27, 2007
Charlotte, NC - In the second round of the CIAA Basketball Tournament, fifth seeded Bowie State University (19-10) faced off with fourth seeded Fayetteville State University (18-11) in the 1:00 pm match-up. Allyson Swailes scores 20 points in the paint to lead the Lady Bulldogs past the Lady Broncos 76-68. Her efforts in the first half resulted in a 33-26 lead at the half for Bowie State.
During regular-season play the Lady Broncos defeated BSU convincingly in both contests. Fayetteville State's full-court press plagued the Lady Bulldogs and forced them into 36 turnovers in each game.
In today's match-up, Bowie State managed around the full court pressure of Fayetteville State and scampered on a 6-0 run during a three minute span to put the game in their favor for the remainder of the half. BSU reached its largest lead of ten points (29-19) with 4:20 remaining.
Fayetteville State did not fold after the run. The game turned into a physical high tempo game. The Lady Broncos defense forced BSU into 20 turnovers for the half. Allyson Swailes led all scorers for the half by scoring 12 points in the paint which added up to 24 points in the paint for the Lady Bulldogs compared to Fayetteville State's 14.
With physical play of their own, Bowie State controlled the defensive boards pulling down 18 rebounds and leading the half 27-12. The Lady Bulldogs went into the locker room at intermission with a small 33-26 lead.
Bowie State reached its largest lead of the game at 51-35 with 12:29 remaining despite increasing its turnover count. The Lady Bulldogs retained a double-digit lead up until the 5:15 mark when Antoinette Smith made her ninth of 13 points. Smith's score sparked a FSU 7-2 run to put the Lady Broncos within three (60-63) with 3:43 remaining. Fayetteville State remained in close contentions with 1:17 on the clock and down by four points (66-70). The dominance of the Lady Broncos defensive pressure forced BSU to commit a season high 51 turnovers for the game. Fayetteville State took advantage of the earned opportunities and scored 43 points off of the turnovers.
Allyson Swailes continued to dominate the post area for Bowie State in the second half of the game. She led the game with a total of 20 points and helped the Lady Bulldogs with an advantage of 42 points in the paint to FSU's 36. Markeya Watson finished with 14 points and led all with nine rebounds. Genet Moore also scored in double figures with 12. Bowie State broke the full court press by scoring 14 fast break points.
Jamara McMillian led Fayetteville State with 16 points while Antionette Smith scored 13 and Chelsea Jeter 12.
Bowie State University will advance to semi-final rounds on Friday, March 2nd at 1:00 pm. The Lady Bulldogs will face the winner of North Carolina Central versus Virginia State.
