Orangeburg, SC – Fayetteville State Women's Basketball (8-8 overall, 5-3 CIAA) hit the .500 mark on the season after defeating Claflin University (4-13 overall, 3-6 CIAA) 52-49 inside the Tullis Arena in Orangeburg, SC. The Broncos converted 9-of-11 free-throws in the fourth quarter (14-of-18 for the entire game) to secure the victory.
Four Broncos finished in double-digit scoring.
Rasheka Simmons led the game with 15 points and 7 rebounds with six steals.
Aniylah Bryant contributed 12 points and a matching six steals while
Imani Elliott and
Charisma Barner added 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Claflin racked up 21 turnovers in the game as FSU forced 16 of them with steals.
Fayetteville State led all of the first half with a 14-11 advantage after the first quarter and a 27-20 score at halftime. Midway through the third quarter, the Panthers overcame a 29-20 deficit with a 16-4 run that gave them a 36-33 lead at 2:22.
After a tied 45-45 score with 5:48 left in the fourth quarter, Bryant hit a three to break the knot and later a pair of free throws to give FSU a 51-46 cushion with 22 seconds left.
Claflin's leading scorer Dionna Long, who finished with 13 points, hit a three-pointer of her own for a 51-49 game with eight seconds left.
Elliott made 1-of-2 from the charity stripe for the final points of the game.
Fayetteville State will host Saint Augustine's University in Capel Arena on Saturday at 2 pm with no spectators.
