Virginia Union University's
Shameka McNeill scored 13 points, but Bowie State University defeated the 10th-ranked Lady Panthers 49-44 on Thursday, January 30, in Bowie, Md.
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VUU's
Jasmine Carter led the Lady Panthers with 10 rebounds.
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The Lady Panthers took control of the game early in the first quarter by going on a 7-0 run. McNeill hot start gave VUU a 10-1 lead after knocking down a deep three at 7:11. VUU pulled away 14-6 after
Ifunanya Okoye's layup with 2:22 remaining. However, the Bulldogs allowed the Lady Panthers to close the quarter with a pair of free throws to stay ahead, 18-9.
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The second quarter had a similar look as the Bulldogs were slow to get started. VUU's
Breonn Hughey deep ball took the Lady Panthers lead to 22-13 at the 5:21 mark. However, BSU would fight back to keep the game close. Senior Dynaisha Christian's layup made the score 22-20 before
Ifunanya Okoye answered with a layup of her own. The Panthers ended the period on top 27-22 after Hughey went 1-2 at the charity stripe.
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Bowie State made the third stanza the most competitive even though they were outscored 12-11. Talanya Hutton's deep ball cut the deficit to 27-25 before sophomore Drew Calhoun tied it at 29-all with a three of her own with 7:03 to go. The Lady Panthers would however regain control late in the quarter after McNeill's layup pushed the lead to 39-33 to end the period.
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Although the Bulldogs were outscored 22-14 in the paint, they held an advantage in points off turnover 22-16 after forcing 24 Lady Panthers' turnovers. Bowie State Senior Shawnkia McCallum opened the period with a three pointer at the 5:42 mark. Both teams would go back and forth throughout the quarter with Bowie State grabbing its first lead at 45-44 after Christian's layup with just 17 seconds remaining in the contest. From there, the Bulldogs would close out the Panthers to capture the victory.
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The loss dropped VUU to 16-3 overall and 7-2 in CIAA play. Bowie State is now 17-3 overall and 7-2 in the CIAA.
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Virginia Union now returns home to Barco-Stevens Hall to face Saint Augustine's University at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, February 3.