Dec. 14, 2009
Final Stats
FAYETTEVILLE - Fayetteville State and the University of North Carolina at Pembroke are developing quite the athletic rivalry.
Shahmel Brackett's layup with less than 10 seconds remaining gave the Braves a 74-72 win over FSU inside Capel Arena on Monday.
The Broncos (2-5) downed UNCP 100-92 in Pembroke on Nov. 16. In August, FSU hosted the inaugural Two Rivers Classic which the Braves' football team won in double overtime.
"We're trying to grow and it's a process," said FSU first-year head coach Alphonza Kee. "We have to improve in a lot of areas and tonight was just a bump in the road."
In his first game of the season, FSU senior forward Davon Hood scored 12 points and grabbed seven rebounds before fouling out late in the second half.
Jamel Carpenter, the CIAA's leading scorer, had a game-high 18 points.
"He did a good job coming back," Carpenter said of Hood. "He made some big plays and it hurt us when he got in foul trouble. But, UNCP just made the play at the end."
Added Hood: "I was a little winded, but I'm happy to be back. I'm ready to work hard and help the team."
FSU led 33-32 at halftime.
After UNCP (4-4 overall) head coach Ben Miller was assessed a technical foul midway through the second half, the Braves went on a 13-5 run to lead 72-67 with 1:41 left in the contest.
FSU downed a pair of free throws before Jarmel Baxter nailed a 3-pointer, tying the game 72-72 with under a minute remaining. In the possession following Brackett's eventual game-winner, FSU wasn't able to get a good look at the basket.
"Even in the last couple of minutes, it was kind of crazy," Kee said. "I thought on the last play of the game they did what I wanted them to do and try and get some contact."
Benjamin Davis scored 13 points and pulled down a team-high nine rebounds. Jarrick Jones added 10 points.
"They're a very good team," Miller said of FSU. "They are much better than their record and I think Coach Kee is doing a great job. I think they have a lot of wins left in them this season."
In fact, Miller said the Broncos have served as motivation for his team.
"The first time we played them, we showed our guys the whole tape about how they outhustled and outworked us," said Miller. "We kind of made a commitment that we weren't going to let that happen. We just wanted to match their intensity."
Kee and the Broncos have 16 days off until they host Queens College (NC) at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 30. Hood said FSU will use the break to continue to grow and mesh as a team.
"Like coach always says, we know the ending," said Hood. "We just have to stay on the same path. If we do, we'll have a good season."
Brandon Thomas led UNCP with 14 points. Marcus Heath, K.J. Cooper and Tyler Egli each scored 10 points for the Braves.
