Box Score

SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. – Senior forward AJ Carr (Fairfax, Va./St. James School) had game highs of 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Rams, but Bowie State (1-0) held on for a 79-71 win over Shepherd University (0-1) in men's basketball action in first day action of the Clarion Hotel Conference Challenge at the Butcher Center on Friday night.

Carr hit on 6-of-13 field goals with a 3-of-6 effort from beyond the arc. He added three assists and three steals.

Senior guard Steffen Davis (Accokeek, Md./Maret School) and junior forward Winston Burgess (Stafford, Va./Colonial Forge) each added 12 points. Junior guard Derek McKnight (Teaneck, NJ/Gaston (N.C.) Day School/Louisburg CC) chipped in with 11 points and junior guard Devin Smith Baltimore, Md./Randallstown/Richard Bland CC) contributed 10 points and four rebounds.

Omari George scored 16 points for the Bulldogs to lead five players in doubles figures. Ahmaad Wilson added 14 points, Dayshawn Wells and Keith Duffin, Jr. each had 13, while David Belle tossed in 10.

Saquan Jamison grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds for Bowie State.

Bowie State had a 46-37 lead at halftime behind 10 first-half points from Wilson and seven from Wells.

The Bulldogs led by as many as 11 points in the second half. Shepherd rallied to within two points after a layup by Carr at 71-69 with 4:35 left in the contest, but Bowie State closed on an 8-2 run to seal the win.

Shepherd connected on 39.3 percent (22-56) from the floor with a 33.3 percent (7-21) performance from beyond the arc for the game. The Rams hit on 80 percent (20-25) of their free throws.

Bowie State shot 48 percent (29-63) from the floor with a 38.9 percent effort (7-18) from three-point range. The Bulldogs shot 77.8 percent (14-18) from the charity stripe.

Bowie State had a 39-34 edge in rebounding. The Rams forced 16 turnovers and committed 15.

The Rams return to action on Saturday when they face Gannon at 6 p.m. in final day action of the Clarion Hotel Conference Challenge.