SECOND HALF SURGE LIFTS BOWIE STATE TO VICTORY OVER SALEM INTERNATIONAL
Gregory Goings
11/20/07

            (BOWIE, MD)  Playing their first home game of the season, Bowie State University exploded with an 18-6 run to open the second half and went to a convincing 81-51 victory over Salem (WV) International University in women's non-conference basketball action.

The BSU Lady Bulldogs must have had home court jitters through the first half of play, even though they jumped out to a quick 8-1 advantage.  Salem International’s Lady Tigers answered with an 8-0 run to take a brief 9-8 following a 3-pointer by Tapre Young.  Bowie State freshman Teaunsha Robinson (7 points and 6 rebounds), the CIAA Rookie of the Week, and sophomore Bianca Lee scored the next four points for the Lady Bulldogs and freshman Brittney Jackson added a free throw to switch the lead back to the home team.  However, Jeannie Saunders (12 points) hit a jumper for Salem International to knot the game at 13 with 10:23 remaining in the first half.  SIU took a 15-14 lead with just over nine minutes in the half before BSU junior Sherika Thomas scored on three straight possessions give the lead to the Lady Bulldogs for good.  Bowie State held a 25-24 lead at the intermission and shot a dismal 33.3% (10-of-30) from the field.  The visitors had an even worse first half shooting percentage (29.6%), making only 8-of-27 from the field.

            Bowie State (3-0) jumped to a double-digit lead in the first 4:30 of the second half and increased that lead to as much as 34 points (68-34) by the 6:16 mark as several of the starters sat on the bench.  Salem International continued to struggle in the second half, converting just 9-of-25 field goals.  Turnovers played a role in the Salem International setback, as well the Lady Tigers were charged with 31 on the night which translated into 33 Bowie State points.

            Thomas paced BSU with a team-high 14 points and nine rebounds.  Junior Markeya Watson, freshman Lakisha Walker and Lee scored 10 points each for the Lady Bulldogs.  Bowie State’s bench outscored Salem International’s bench 36-10.

            Salem International (0-3) was led by Krystal Fontenot with 14 points and Nicole Ramos added another 10 points.