Elizabeth City, NC – Fayetteville State's Rasheka Simmons scored a career-high 20 points to lead the Broncos (5-5 overall, 2-1 CIAA) in a 67-56 victory over Elizabeth City State (9-2, 2-1 CIAA) in the R.L. Vaughn Center in Elizabeth City, NC.  Aniylah Bryant chipped in 16 points in the action-packed conference game. Imani Elliott and London Thompson paired for eight points, respectively, with Shenell Shaw-Davis leading on the boards with five rebounds.

What made it exciting? 

Fayetteville State dominated the first quarter with a 19-6 score at the end of the period. FSU opened the game with an 8-0 run and finished the first stanza with a 6-1 run. The tables turned as the Broncos could only produce four points in the second quarter. Simmons scored the only field goal of the period for the Broncos at the 2:27 mark and Bryant hit two free throws with 43 seconds before halftime. 

Down by six (29-23) after the intermission break, Bryant opened the Broncos' second half scoring with a three and Simmons tied the game at 33 with a free throw with 6:47 left in the third quarter. But the Vikings regained the lead despite two more ties that knotted the game at 37 with 4:05 left.  That is when two back-to-back fast-break layups by Simmons and Bryant sparked a 13-2 run for the Broncos. Imani Elliott capped the run with back-to-back threes before the end of the quarter. 

Simmons continued to push the ball after the start of the fourth quarter with a fast break and a jumper to give FSU its largest lead of 14 (54-40) with 8:29 left in regulation.  

Fayetteville State shot 50% (25-50) from the floor and from beyond the three-point arc (5-10). A good night of shooting was also had from the line with 12-of-17 free throws made.  

Iya Holley-Reid and NyAsia Blango scored 11 points each for Elizabeth City State. 

The Broncos will travel to Salem (West Virginia) after the Christmas break on December 31.