Jan. 26, 2011

Final Stats

BOWIE, MD- Bowie State University went 6-6 from the free throw line in the final 15 seconds of regulation as the Bulldogs squeaked by Elizabeth City State University 69-66 Monday night at A.C. Jordan Arena.

Marquie Cooke, hit a three-pointer with 46 seconds remaining to give ECSU a 64-63 advantage. With two seconds remaining on the shot clock, Eric Vann was fouled on a layup attempt and was sent to the line where he sank two shots to give the lead back to BSU, 65-64.

On the Vikings' ensuing possession the inbounds pass, which was intended for Trent Bivens, was intercepted by Vann in the ECSU front court. Bivens scrambled to give the foul and stop the clock so the ECSU would get the ball back and at most trail by three with a chance to tie.

To the bewilderment of all in attendance a slight tug at Vann's jersey was deemed intentional by the referee, thus giving the Bulldogs two free throws plus possession with 9 seconds remaining.

BSU sank four free throws between Vann and Darren Clark to push the lead to five 69-64. Paul Goldsmith dunked the ball with a second left for the game's final point spread.

Aside from the ugly finish the most glaring disparity was the free throws taken in the game. The Bulldogs shot 27-31 from the line while the Vikings went to the stripe only 11 times converting 7 attempts. ECSU was whistled for 21 personals to just 10 for the home team.

Bivens topped the Vikings with 17 points, 14 of which came in the second half. He was 4-4 from beyond the three-point arc in the game's second act.

Travis Hyman finished with 22 points and 17 boards for the Bulldogs (12-3, CIAA 7-1).

ECSU (11-5, CIAA 5-3) will host Chowan University in a divisional matchup on Thursday at the RL Vaughan Center. Tip-off is slated for 7:30pm. For more information on ECSU Athletics, visit www.ecsuvikings.com.