RALEIGH, N.C. – Saint Augustine's College started fast, but Bowie State University rallied from a 12-point halftime deficit to end the Falcons' eight-game win streak in a CIAA basketball contest Saturday (Jan. 2) at Emery Gymnasium.
The Falcons (8-2 overall, 4-1 CIAA) led by as many as 19 points in the first half, but the Bulldogs (4-3 overall, 4-1 CIAA) shot 56 percent in the second half. Dominic Milburn came off the bench to 13 of his game-high 22 points in the second half, including 3 of 5 three-point baskets, to pace the Bulldogs. He made 5 of 8 three-pointers for the game as the Bulldogs connected on 10 of 23 threes compared to 3 of 14 for the Falcons.
Torrid shooting by the Bulldogs allowed them to recover from a big first-half deficit. The Bulldogs took their first lead at 50-48 on Milburn's trey with 12 minutes left in the game. Chris Jordan (Sr./Houston, Texas) of the Falcons tied the game at 60-60 on a layup with 4:38 remaining, but the Bulldogs finished with an 8-4 run. Milburn's two free throws with three seconds left sealed the comeback for the Bulldogs.
Jordan scored 13 of his team-high 20 points in the first half when the Falcons opened a 28-9 lead. After going in the locker room with a 41-29 lead, the Falcons appeared headed for their ninth straight win. The first half was similar to last season's CIAA Tournament game which the Falcons won easily, but the Bulldogs bounced back this time.
Steven Brignol (Sr./Brooklyn, N.Y.) added 11 points and Hayward Fain (Jr./Akron, Ohio) had 10 points, eight rebounds and five steals for the Falcons, who forced 12 of the Bulldogs' 19 turnovers in the first half which helped them open a double-digit lead. Duke Crews had 14 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks for the Bulldogs.
Until Saturday, the Falcons had not lost since the opening game of the regular season when they lost in overtime to Armstrong Atlantic State University. The Falcons will look to start another winning streak Monday (Jan. 4) when they host Lincoln (Pa.) University at Emery Gymnasium. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
