Bowie State advances to semi-finals with win over the Shaw Bears
February 28, 2008
Charlotte, NC- In the last game of the quarterfinals, the no. 2 seed Bowie State University Bulldogs competed against the no. 10 seed, the Shaw University Bears. In the first round, the Bears defeated the no. 7 seed Livingstone College Blue Bears, 74-60, to advance to the quarterfinals, but Shaw was no match for the Bulldogs tonight, knocking off the Bears from Raleigh, 77-59.
In the regular season, the Bulldogs won both meetings between the two teams led by senior Jason Ingram with a game high in points and rebounds.
From possession at jump ball, the Bulldogs delivered offense at a fast pace, using and abusing the Bear defense. Bulldog co-captain Ingram slammed on the Bears with an intense dunk to send Bowie into the game's first timeout up by 9. All-conference Bulldog forward Joshua Johnson broke away from defenders underneath the rim with two consecutive pulls at the free throw line. Bowie State went on an impressive 18-0 run, and Shaw's last connection at 17:24 was only met by another eight minutes later by Robert Espinosa.
With six minutes remaining, all- CIAA honoree Davis Paris led the Bulldogs 4-for-6 with 8 total points. Johnson added with 100 percent from the field and 4 rebounds, with 6 total points. All-CIAA forward Damola Obadina had limited floor time, only 0-1 from the field and three turnovers.
Guard John Kornegay led the Bears and contributed to their 9-2 run before closing the half, down by 11; the halftime score was 30-19. Top performers for the half, Paris and Johnson had a combined 16 points and 12 rebounds. The Bulldogs finished the half 38.9 percent from the field and 25 percent from the free throw line.
Two minutes into the second half, Bowie went on a 10-0 run, allowing no Shaw offensive completions. With only 19 points, the Shaw Bears had a turnover for every point. Their first second-half field reception, at 15:03, was a fast break lay-up by Brandon Armistead.
Up 16 and with eight minutes remaining, Johnson had a double-double; 8-11 from the field, with 12 rebounds and 17 total points. Paris added 14 total points and seven rebounds and two blocks in the paint. The Bulldogs continued to execute on a 13-4 run in 2:42, allowing only perimeter shots from Shaw's Kornegay.
Conference honoree Johnson took home the Most Valuable Player award for Game 6 and finished the game 9-13, with 14 rebounds and 19 total points. Paris added seven rebounds and 16 total points.
As the half expired, Bowie State gave no other options, took the win by 18 from the Bears, and will enter the semi-finals to face the Fayetteville State Broncos Friday February 29, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.
