Nov. 21, 2009
Final Stats
FAYETTEVILLE - Jamel Carpenter is enjoying his time at Fayetteville State.
Carpenter, a junior guard/forward, scored 30 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead FSU to a 100-85 win over Lincoln (Pa.) on Saturday.
In his first two games with the Broncos, Carpenter is averaging 30 points per contest.
"I'm around great people, great players and great coaches," Carpenter said. "I love this family. I'm just out there playing. I see an opportunity and I take my shot."
Said first-year head coach Alphonza Kee: "That's why I brought him here. I'm not surprised and that's why he was the first player I brought here. He's hungry and I'm very pleased and very fortunate to have a young man that's as good a player as he is."
He didn't do it by himself though.
Four FSU (2-0) players scored in double figures.
Paul Lane had 13 points and six rebounds while Benjamin Davis added nine points and 13 rebounds. Sophomore guard Jarmel Baxter tallied 13 points and five rebounds. Davis also had team-highs in blocks (two), assists (three) and steals (three).
"We want to play fast, be unselfish and create a lot of possessions," Kee said. "We want to push the ball offensively and make sure we're fast. This is how Broncos basketball can be."
The Broncos are averaging 100 points per game this season. FSU's 200 points are the best two game scoring span since they racked up 186 points in the first two games of the 2008-09 season.
"At the beginning of the season we were undermanned a bit," Kee said. "I'm pleasantly surprised that we have the depth to do that. These guys are definitely getting it done."
FSU had lost four of its last five home games, dating back to last season.
"The crowd was great," said Jarmel Baxter. "Our coaches prepared us to come in here and get a big win tonight."
Baxter's buzzer-beating three-point gave FSU a 42-38 halftime lead. Still, Baxter said he wasn't pleased with the Broncos' performance in the first half.
"Defensively we didn't play well," he said. "The shot win, but oh well. We've got to get better defensively."
Perhaps the loudest ovation from the partisan FSU crowd, with 6:35 left in the first half.
Carpenter's put-back slam of an Andre Best miss, knocked down the shot clock, sending the Broncos crowd into a frenzy and causing a five-minute delay.
"I saw the opportunity to crash the board and it just happened," said Carpenter. "I was just going to get the ball, that's it."
Kee and the Broncos will face Bowie State at Capel Arena on Monday. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
"Overall, we just have to get better everyday," said Kee. "If we do what we're supposed to do, we have a chance to compete out there. But it's going to be tough. They're very good. Like we did tonight, we have to find a way."
