Bulldogs Capture Bulldog Classic

Bulldogs extend home winning streak to 15 games

By Alex Brown

            The Bowie State University Bulldogs started this season off in the same fashion that they started last season off with opening victories in both rounds of the Bulldog Classic to start the season off with a 2-0 record. In the Opening round of the Bulldog Classic held at A.C. Jordan Arena this past weekend the Bulldogs were able to hold off conference foe Lincoln University of Pennsylvania in a nail bitter 79-78. The Bulldogs were led by Junior Center Cassin Diggs (Williamsport, PA, Williamsport, University of Pittsburgh) who had 23 points and 11 rebounds for the game in which 6 of his rebounds were offensive rebounds which was a theme for the Bulldogs in this game as the Bulldogs punished the Lions on the offensive glass as they pulled down more offensive rebounds (22) then the Lions pulled down defensive rebounds (21). Junior Guard Andrew Engel (Glen Burnie, MD, Old Mill, Colby C.C.) was the only other Bulldogs scorer to eclipse the double digit mark in a truly balanced Bulldog attack as he dropped in 17 points with the majority of his points coming from beyond the three point line.

            The teams jockeyed with the lead the entire game and after trailing going into the half 39-38, the Bulldogs were able to generate a 6-0 run to begin the second half to take the lead at 44-43. The Lions shortly then answered with a 10-1 run of their own as they were able to take the lead at 53-49 with just under 13 minutes remaining in the game. Junior Corey Camphor knocked down a 3 pointer with just less than 11 minutes remaining in the game to bring the Lion lead to just one point. The Bulldogs were then able to recapture the lead with 9 minutes remaining and stretched the lead to 8 points (75-67) with 40 seconds remaining in the game Three 3 pointers in the last minute of the game by the Lions helped to make the game a lot more interesting but two successful free throw attempts by Juniors Corey Stevens (Glenarden, MD, Good Counsel) and Armond Hill (Silver Spring, MD, Springbrook, Montgomery - Rockville C.C.) helped to bring the final score to 79-78 in the Bulldogs favor.

            The Championship Game of the Bulldogs classic matched up the Bowie State Bulldogs (2-0) against the Columbia Union Pioneers (1-1) but did not turn out to be much of a game because the Bulldogs just thumped the Pioneers 77-59. The Bulldogs dominated the ball game on the inside as they had 38 points in the paint and controlled the glass as they won the rebound battle 55-30. Diggs pulled recorded his second double double of the young season as he tallied 17 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Bulldogs in both categories. Senior Forward Curtis Massey (Upper Marlboro, MD, Largo, Dodge City CC) also hauled down 10 rebounds and added 8 points in yet another balanced scoring attack by the Bulldogs. Junior Guard Charles Richardson (Suitland, MD, Suitland, Montgomery - Takoma Park C.C.) added 12 points of his own and Bulldog Classic MVP Andrew Engel added 11 points to bring home the victory.

            The win was a result of a tenacious Bulldogs defense that held the Pioneers to shooting 31.4 percent shooting from the field for the game while on the other hand the Bulldogs were able to shoot 40 percent for the game in a game that saw all 11 players who suited up for the Bulldogs score. The two wins bring Coach Luke D'Alessio's win total here at Bowie to 186 games placing him just 14 wins away from 200 victories in less than 10 seasons here at Bowie. After the game, Juniors Cassin Diggs and Andrew Engel were named to the All-Classic Teams and Engel was named Classic MVP after averaging 14 points per game, 1.5 steals per game and 4 rebounds per game, Engel also nailed 6 three pointers in this past weekends action. The two wins also extend the Bulldogs home winning streak to 15 games and that streak will be tested again as they take on the Livingstone Blue Bears Nov. 18^th  at 7:30 p.m.