BOWIE, Md. – The Johnson C. Smith University women's basketball team began CIAA play on the road to secure a 54–50 win over Bowie State on Saturday afternoon, in the A.C. Jordan Arena.

La'Niya Simes led all scorers with 16 points, shooting 8-of-11 from the field while pulling down a team-high 10 rebounds to record a double-double. Salote Franklin added a strong all-around performance with eight points and nine rebounds, helping the Golden Bulls control the glass with a 39–33 rebounding advantage.

The game was tightly contested throughout, featuring four ties and three lead changes. Johnson C. Smith struggled offensively early, shooting just 22.2 percent in the first quarter, but stayed within reach thanks to defensive pressure and second chance opportunities. The Golden Bulls finished with 15 second chance points and 32 points in the paint, capitalizing on their physical presence inside.

Johnson C. Smith found its rhythm in the second half, improving shooting efficiency each quarter and closing the game strong by shooting 46.7 percent in the fourth quarter. The Golden Bulls went 18-of-29 from the free-throw line, including key makes down the stretch to hold off Bowie State's late push.

Bowie State was led by Chaniya Taylor, who scored 13 points off the bench, while Sydney Anthony added 10 points. Bowie State had 36 bench points, while Johnson C. Smith's defense forced 22 turnovers and limited the Bulldogs to 18.8 percent shooting in the final period.