Shepherdstown, WV – Fayetteville State dropped its season-opener on the road in Shepherdstown, West Virginia to Shepherd University, 78-71, in a Conference Challenge tournament. The Broncos closed a 12-point deficit at the start of the fourth quarter to one (71-72) with 3:04 left in the game but a 6-0 run by the Rams sealed the game.
 
Shantel Bennett led the effort with 15 points and five steals. Chantel Williams also contributed double figures with ten points. Four other Broncos scored nine points with Aminata Johnson falling one-point shy of a double-double with nine points and ten rebounds.
 
Fayetteville State trailed 25-14 after the first period and 46-32 at halftime. FSU outscored the Rams 20-16 in the third period to set up the final stanza. The Broncos held a 14-6 advantage in second chance points with 12 offensive boards and 30 defensive grabs. FSU out-rebounded SU 42-32.
 
Marley McLaughlin led the game for Shepherd with 30 points followed by Jordan Smith, who put in 19.