CLARION, Pa.)  The Lady Bulldogs of Bowie State University opened the 2009-2010 campaign against Gannon University in the opening round of the Clarion University Tip-Off Classic. Junior Teaunsha Robinson (Baltimore, MD, Baltimore Polytechnic) recorded a double-double (16 points and 11 rebounds) and fellow junior Lakisha Walker (Baltimore, MD, St. Frances Academy) added 15 points in a 65-60 setback to the Lady Knights.

Bowie State led most of the first half, including an 18-9 advantage with just over eight minutes left. Gannon cut the Lady Bulldogs lead to one by the 2:46 mark of the first period after a traditional three point play by Amanda Dacek. Tiffany Tabron gave Gannon their second and final lead of the game on a layup on the Lady Knights next possession and went into halftime with a narrow 27-24 lead.

Neither team shot very well from the floor in the first period. Gannon hit 11-of-36 from the field (31 percent), which included two-of-five behind the 3-point line and three-of-five from the free throw line. Bowie State made eight-of-25 from the floor (32 percent), three-of-eight behind the arc and five-of-eight from the charity stripe in the first stanza.

The Gannon lead swelled to a game-high 15 points (52-37) midway through the second half before Bowie State began a late game rally. Bowie State trailed by double figures until a Walker layup with 4:01 left in the game, cutting the Lady Bulldogs deficit to 59-51. Bowie State got as close as four twice in the final minute of play, but that would be as close as the Lady Bulldogs would get.

Bowie State won the battle of the boards, out-rebounding Gannon 44 to 40. Sophomore Juliette Turner (Silver Spring, MD, John F. Kennedy) pulled down seven rebounds to go along with seven points and Walker accounted for six rebounds. Turnovers hurt Bowie State, committing 21 (15 in the first half).

Carrie Nolan led Gannon’s Lady Knight’s with 18 points on six-of-13 shooting. Tabron added 10 points and hauled down a game-high 13 rebounds.