Box Score Fayetteville, N.C. – While observing Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in Felton J. Capel arena, the Fayetteville State Broncos clinched a 73-56 victory over Claflin University in CIAA Southern Division play.
 
 
The Broncos, who are now 9-7 overall and 4-4 in the conference, ended a four-game winning streak by the Panthers who drop to 10-9 overall and 7-5 in the CIAA. Claflin is now 4-3 in the Southern Division while Fayetteville State improves to 1-1.
 
 
"The fact that we had a great start and support from the bench," said Broncos Head Coach Serena King-Coleman, "helped us jump out ahead of the Panthers and keep the lead. They thrived off of each other; so, the fact that it was a total team effort is going to encourage them to continue that same type of play."
 
 
Shantell Bennett (Sanford, N.C.) led the charge with 19 points, Katisha Hyman (Chocowinity, N.C.) followed with 16 points shooting 3-of-4 from behind the arch. Yakima Clifton (Durham, N.C.) led the team on the boards collecting 8 rebounds. Fayetteville State had a season-high 13 assists with 7 steals and 18 points off 15 Panther turnovers.
 
 
The Broncos led by as much as 16 points (26-10) in the first quarter of play. The FSU defense was immaculate keeping pressure on the basketball around the perimeter and in the post. They crashed the boards hard and out rebounded the Panthers 14-4.
 
 
It was in the second quarter that the Broncos were able to pad their lead by as much as 20 points (30-10) with 8:15 left in the half. Going into halftime, the Panthers were able to go on a 10-2 stint of a run but couldn't quite cut into the lead.
 
 
In the second half, the Broncos' largest lead was a 29-point advantage (57-28) with 2:53 left in the third quarter.
 
 
The Panthers main contributor was Dashia Jackson with 22 points. Deja Dickens finished with 10.
 
 
Fayetteville State will travel to Salisbury, N.C. on Wednesday (January 23^rd) to take on the Blue Bears of Livingstone College.