In 1978, Maceo Smith took the reins of head coach of the women's basketball program from Cleophus Hatcher. With Robert 'Bobby' Henderson as an assistant coach, the Broncos won 12 of their final 14 regular season games and the university's first CIAA Women's Basketball title.
As the CIAA Southern Division's third seed, Fayetteville State defeated the No. 2 seed of the North, Norfolk State University 74-72. On the campus of Elizabeth City State University, the Broncos battled back from a 37-28 halftime deficit for the win. Bullock and Morris led the way with 23 and 22 points, respectively. Newsome scored 16 while Owens added 13 points, grabbed 23 rebounds, and blocked 6 shots.
In the following round, FSU knocked down nationally ranked Winston-Salem State University. The double-overtime contest was everything one would expect in the rivalry between the Rams and Broncos. Fayetteville State struggled through the first half. A bucket by Dianthia Morris with four seconds left in regulation would knot the game and send it to overtime. The Rams would respond in the extra period to require a second overtime stanza. Katrina Bullock, who led the team in scoring with a season-high 32 points, tallied the final four points of the game to upset Winston-Salem State 88-84 and advance the Broncos to the championship game. Morris finished with 22 points and Owens contributed 19 points and 26 rebounds.
In the championship game against Virginia State, Fayetteville State had to battle from a half-time deficit once again. Bullock's offense and Owens' rebounding and shot-blocking gave the Broncos a needed second-half surge that led to a 63-61 victory over the Trojans.
Bullock and Owens each scored 19 points. Owens was named CIAA Tournament MVP after finishing the tournament averaging 16.6 points per game and 23.6 rebounds for the three-day affair. For the season, she led the team with 22.8 ppg and 20.8 RPG. Freshman Dianthia Morris finished with 17.7 points while senior Angela Newsome contributed 17.4. Freshman Katrina Bullock averaged 10 points coming off the bench as a non-starter.
Newsome and Morris were named to the All-CIAA Team following the regular season.
"This championship happened because each player contributed by playing their role within the team," said Head Coach Maceo Smith. "We pushed each other, cheered for each other, but most of all believed in each other.
Our coach's motto was: 'Only the strong survive and nobody can beat you when you work hard.' We were strong, worked hard, and survived to bring home the covenant prize – the 1979 CIAA Women's Basketball Tournament Trophy."
The Broncos ended the season with a 21-8 overall record after competing in the National Association of Women's Sports National Tournament at Hampton University on March 13, 1979.
