BALTIMORE (February 22, 2022) – The No. 5 seed Fayetteville State (13-12 overall) did not fare well in its first-ever CIAA Tournament matchup against the No. 12 seed Livingstone (6-19 overall). The Bronco women were shocked 49-38 in the opening game at Royal Farms Arena on Tuesday.
The Lady Blue Bears entered the tournament with a 4-12 conference record, including their only Southern Division win this past Saturday. The Broncos, who were the defending CIAA champions, tied for the best conference record (10-6) in the Southern Division coming into the tournament.
"In the first quarter, I thought we played okay," said FSU Head Coach Serena King-Coleman. "We went through a scoring drought which we have been doing all year."
Fayetteville State score two field goals in the second quarter which were the opening and closing basket of period.
"We didn't shoot the ball well with 25% from the field and 55% from the free throw line and that's pretty much the story of the game."
Morgan Graham led the Bronco effort with season-bests 16 points, eight rebounds, and eight blocked shots before fouling out the game.
Rasheka Simmons followed with 14 points and three steals.
Fayetteville State finished with nine offensive rebounds where they scored four second-chance points. The Blue Bears finished with 18 offensive boards for 14 second-chance points.
Jamiah Lane finished with 19 points, seven rebounds, three blocks, and two steals to lead the Lady Blue Bears to Wednesday's quarterfinals, where they will face No. 4 seed and Southern Division champion Johnson C. Smith at 12 noon.
Daijah Turner added 11 points and Andresia Alexander dished out six assists for the Lady Blue Bears, who seized control late in the first quarter. They led 22-15 at halftime and maintained their advantage through the third and fourth quarters, increasing their lead to double digits. The Lady Broncos were within single digits in the second half but never mounted a serious rally.
Alyssa Boyce collected nine rebounds and Alexis Lake finished with seven rebounds for the Lady Blue Bears, who out-rebounded the Broncos 47-38 including an 18-9 edge in offensive rebounds. They also outscored their opponent 30-4 in bench points.
The Broncos defeated the Lady Blue Bears twice during the regular season, 61-40 and 50-45.
