WILSON, N.C. --The Fayetteville State women's basketball team got a 33-point showing from the bench on the way to a 72-52 win against the Barton Bulldogs (1-6 overall) on the road Monday. Morgan Graham had a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Broncos (4-3 overall) as three players scored in double figures. Aniylah Bryant had 14 points and two steals and Daziyahna Wilson chipped in as well with 11 points off the bench.
Led by Keayna McLaughlin's three offensive rebounds, Fayetteville State did a great job crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 15 boards that resulted in 16 second chance points.
The Broncos' defense was a problem in Monday's game, forcing 21 Barton turnovers. Those takeaways turned into 25 points on the other end of the floor. Imani Elliott led the way individually for the Broncos with two steals.
How It Happened
After jumping out to a 9-5 advantage, Fayetteville State went on a 10-0 run with 4:53 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Alexis Radcliff, to increase its lead to 19-5. The Broncos then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter break with a 21-8 advantage. Fayetteville State relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down three shots to account for nine of its 21 points.
Fayetteville State kept its first quarter lead intact before going on a 5-0 run starting at the 7:23 mark in the second period, highlighted by a three from Tanjaneeka Eichelberger, to increase its lead to 29-12. The Bulldogs cut into that lead, but the Broncos still enjoyed a 34-24 advantage heading into halftime. Fayetteville State forced five Barton turnovers in the period and turned them into five points.
Fayetteville State continued to preserve its halftime lead before going on a 5-0 run to expand its lead further to 49-34 with 3:27 to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Bulldogs had cut into that lead somewhat, but the Broncos still entered the fourth quarter with a 55-41 edge. Fayetteville State played well near the basket, scoring 12 of its 21 points in the paint.
Fayetteville State kept widening that lead, expanding it to 62-47 before going on an 8-0 run, finished off by Bryant's jumper, to grow the lead to 70-47 with 2:45 to go in the contest. The Bulldogs narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Broncos still cruised the rest of the way for the 72-52 win. Fayetteville State took advantage of five Barton turnovers in the quarter, scoring six points off of those takeaways.
Game Notes
» Morgan Graham notched her first career double-double for the Broncos with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
» The Broncos held the Bulldogs to only 25.4 percent shooting from the field.
» The Broncos never trailed after taking a 21-8 first quarter lead.
» Fayetteville State tallied 17 total assists in the game.
» The Fayetteville State bench made an impact by adding 33 points to its scoring output.
» Fayetteville State had a 46-37 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Fayetteville State defense forced 21 turnovers.
» The Broncos were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, tallying five blocks as a team.
» Fayetteville State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 15 offensive boards in the game.
» Aniylah Bryant led the Broncos with 14 points.
» Fayetteville State got a team-high 10 rebounds from Morgan Graham.
