Fayetteville, NC -- Fayetteville State was looking to change things around after a 63-53 loss to Virginia Union and the startup of classes this week.  The Broncos were ultimately lulled to sleep in a 55-51 loss to Bowie State University in Felton J. Capel Arena.
 
Bowie State entered Felton J. Capel Arena on a 13-game winning streak and will return to Bowie, Maryland with 15-1 overall record and an unblemished 6-0 CIAA record. Fayetteville State will prepare for CIAA Southern Division play (Saturday) with an 8-6 and 3-3 CIAA record.
 
FSU led every quarter on the scoreboard by at least four points except for the fourth quarter. For most of the first half both teams had minimal turnovers, the greatest advantage for the Broncos was at the free throw line. For the game the Broncos shot 65% (13-of-20) from the line over the Bulldogs 50% (10-of-20).
 
Fayetteville State did a great job at rotating within defensive zones and sagging into passing lanes, an effort that Head Coach Serena King-Coleman has applauded. Their defensive effort really made a great impact for the first half of the game.
 
"I thought we played a great game for three quarters," said Coach King-Coleman. "For the fourth, I thought we folded a little bit. We didn't stick to the game plan, played a little bit individually and it hurt us in the end."
 
The Broncos stretched their lead over the Bulldogs to as much as 10 points in the third quarter. The lead only changed twice in the matchup. It wasn't until the last quarter of play that the Bulldogs pulled ahead and ultimately snubbed FSU for the win. They crashed the boards hard in the fourth quarter and out-rebounded the Broncos 38-34. More importantly they kept their own turnovers to 12 while converting 16 points off turnovers over the Broncos.
 
Yakima Clifton led the Bronco's drive with 15 points. Katisha Hyman followed by adding 12 points; shooting perfectly from the free throw line (4-4).
 
Fayetteville State will be preparing to compete against the Golden Bulls of Johnson C. Smith University next Saturday, January 19^th in Charlotte, NC. Coach King-Coleman says they will be in the lab working on different game scenarios and team chemistry.
 
"We got to work on game situations and just playing a little more composed at the end," said Coach King-Coleman. "Understanding possession and how important that is against each team."