BSU Bulldogs CIAA Upset Hit Homes

By Kendall Robinson

                        March began for the Bulldogs with a No. 2 seed in the CIAA tournament and dreams of cutting down the nets in Charlotte. Then the beautiful yet cruel reality of March Madness became a crucial reminder of why it's called March Madness as the Bulldogs were upset  by Elizabeth City State University 68-56 in the Bulldogs first game in the tournament.

                        This game had all the elements of the perfect upset with the Bulldogs facing stiff defensive pressure all night inside the key and out. The Bulldogs for the night shot a dismal 35.7 percent from the field in a sloppy offensive performance. Let's not also forget to mention their numerous amounts of turnovers they committed through the course of the game. Give credit for a stout defensive performance from ECSU.

                        ECSU game plan was quite simple in execution as it was something the Bulldogs have faced all year...Stop the inside presence of all CIAA big men Duke Crews and Travis Hyman. The duo, the best inside tandem in the CIAA, was harassed into 11 combined turnovers. Stopping the duo proved the focal point of ECSU's game plan with trying to eliminate the second chance efforts and pure dominance in the paint.

                        Senior Duke Crews, CIAA player of the year, finished with 19 points and 13 rebounds. Eric Vann and Andrew Engel also finished with 10 points each.

                        The loss proved the last opportunity for the seniors to dawn a Bowie State uniform. As somber a moment that must have been. They have proved plenty of highs for this University. March has come and gone for the Bowie State men's basketball team but if this year is any indication there should defiantly be more March's on the Horizon that well end just a bit better for BSU.