BOWIE STATE EDGES PACE, 82-78

(BOWIE, MARYLAND – December 13, 2005) Wins don't have to be pretty and Tuesday night was a good example of that. Four of five Bowie State University starters scored in double figures leading the Bulldogs (6-3) to an 82-78 victory over the Setters of Pace University.

Derek Payne recorded his second double-double of the year, leading Bowie State with 18 points and 12 rebounds.

The first half featured twelve lead changes and seven ties and identical shooting from the field (14 of 33). The Setters were better from behind the three-point arc but the difference for the Bulldogs was free throw shooting. BSU knocked down 90 percent of its first half free throws (9 of 10) compared to 67 percent (4 of 6) for Pace.

Bowie State also did well in the rebound category, beating Pace on the glass 24-16 and led 40-38 at halftime.

Bowie State maintained their lead throughout the second half and increased its halftime advantage to eleven points (53-42) by the 14:15 mark of period two. However, Pace cut the deficit to 59-57 with 7:20 left to play before the Bulldogs pushed the lead to 72-64 with just over four minutes remaining in the contest.

The Setters made one final run, trimming BSU's lead to just one point (79-78) with ten seconds left in the game. Ray Akinola (10 points and 8 rebounds) made the first of two free throws but missed the second, sending the 478 in attendance to their feet with five ticks remaining on the A.C. Jordan Arena scoreboard. However Bowie State's Thomas Hawkins grabbed a key offensive rebound and passed the ball out to Kiyam Holloway who was fouled on the play. Holloway calmly sank his two free throw attempts, securing the win for the Bulldogs.

Jacque Pate played his best game of the season, recording 13 points, 11 rebounds 4 blocks and Kevin Bell added 13 points and a season high eight assists for Bowie State.

The duo of Ryan Williams (Centreville, VA/Paul VI) and Neal Wellington (Wheaton, MD/Good Counsel) led Pace University with 23 and 20 points respectively.

Bowie State will return to action December 27th in Los Angeles (CA) against Claflin University in the opening round of the three-day Black College Hoop Classic.

Press Release courtesy of Bowie State University Sports Information