(BOWIE, MARYLAND – )  Senior Gil Goodrich and the Bowie State Bulldogs made a very strong statement in their rematch with Virginia Union.  Goodrich burned the A.C. Jordan Arena nets for a game-high 38 points and handed VUU a crushing 92-70 loss.  The 22 point margin was the worst loss ever to Bowie State and dropped the Panthers to 10-2 overall, 7-2 in the CIAA and 3-1 in the CIAA Eastern Division.  The BSU win snaps a two-game losing streak and puts the Bulldogs back into contention for the CIAA Eastern crown.

            Things didn’t look very good for Bowie State early on but the Bulldogs kept their cool.  The first 20 minutes featured the play of each team’s best player, Brad Byerson for Virginia Union and Goodrich for Bowie State.  Byerson led the Panthers first half scoring with 13 points and Goodrich netted 25 in the first 20 minutes.  The major difference on the first half stat sheet was 3-point shooting.  Bowie State jacked up 17 first half 3-pointers, hitting seven while Virginia Union was one-of-five from behind the arc.  Points-in-the-paint was VUU’s strong point in the first half, outscoring the Bulldogs 28-12.  After a 34-34 tie at the 4:14 mark, Bowie State’s Goodrich scored nine of BSU’s next 12 points to take a 46-42 lead at the half.

            Back-to-back field goals by Virginia Union’s Chris Green and Byerson, tied the contest a 46.  However, it was all Bowie State after that as the Bulldogs went on an 8-0 run to open up at 54-46 advantage.  Six of the eight points during a 1:52 stretch were contributed by BSU senior Tyronne Beale.  It only went down hill even more for Virginia Union for the rest of the game.  The Panthers hit only eight-of 24 second half field goal attempts (33.3 percent) compared to 19-of-33 (57.6 percent) for the Bowie State Bulldogs.  Virginia Union turned the ball over 18 times on the night, allowing for 20 Bowie State points.

            Other top scorers for Bowie State include Beale with 22 points and juniors Orlando Wright and Jason Ingram adding 10 points each.  BSU’s Beale and junior Joshua Johnson tied for a team-high six rebounds and Goodrich dished out a game-high eight assists.

            Virginia Union was led by Brad Byerson with 22 points and Greg Thondique with 10 points.  Byerson and Thondique also led the Panthers with six rebounds each.

            Bowie State (10-5, 6-5 and 3-2 in the East) will entertain the Golden Bulls of Johnson C. Smith in a 7:30 p.m. clash – Saturday (1/27) as part of a doubleheader with the women.

            For additional information about Bowie State men’s basketball, contact the Office of Sports Information at (301) 860-3574 or log on to www.bsubulldogs.com.