BALTIMORE, Md. — Bowie State pulled away in the second half to defeat Livingstone, 72–51, in the quarterfinals of the Food Lion CIAA Women’s Basketball Tournament on Wednesday at CFG Bank Arena. The win sends the Bulldogs into Thursday’s semifinal round.

After the teams opened with a 16–16 first quarter, Bowie State began to separate with a 17–9 run in the second period, taking a 33–25 lead into halftime. The Bulldogs extended the margin with a 19–11 third quarter and outscored the Blue Bears 20–15 in the fourth.

Bowie State’s Mayah Garner, who finished with 13 points, seven rebounds, and 5-of-8 shooting, was named the Food Lion Player of the Game. She helped anchor a Bulldogs frontcourt that controlled the interior and contributed to the team’s 44–33 rebounding advantage.

Mia Smith added 11 points, five rebounds, four steals, and two assists. Bowie State’s bench delivered 26 points, and the Bulldogs outscored Livingstone 42–20 in the paint. Defensively, the team produced 17 steals and turned 19 Livingstone turnovers into 24 points.

Livingstone (9–20, 8–9 CIAA) was led by Breasia Coit, who posted a double-double with 14 points and 17 rebounds. Ny’Asia Green matched her with 14 points and three steals, but the Blue Bears shot just 28.1 percent from the field and 3-of-14 from three-point range.

Boston Bates added eight points—all from the free throw line—as Livingstone fell behind by as many as 21 in the fourth quarter.

Bowie State (19–7, 11–5 CIAA) shot 40.9 percent overall and 16-of-21 from the free throw line, producing 17 second-chance points and maintaining control throughout the second half.

With the victory, the Bulldogs advance to the CIAA semifinals, where they await the winner of the South’s No. 2 Fayetteville State vs. North’s No. 3 Virginia Union quarterfinal game as they continue their push toward a conference championship.