FAYETTEVILLE, NC --The Fayetteville State women's basketball team held Winston-Salem to just 5.3 percent from deep in a 1-for-19 shooting performance on the way to a 59-46 victory over the Rams at home Saturday.
The Broncos (16-6, 12-2) had three players score in double figures, led by Aniylah Bryant, who had 14 points and seven rebounds. Alexis Radcliff tacked on 13 points and six rebounds off of the bench and Imani Elliott chipped in as well with 10 points, six assists and two steals from the bench.
Fayetteville State grabbed 53 rebounds in Saturday's game compared to Winston-Salem's 36, led by 11 boards from London Thompson. The Broncos also cleaned up the offensive glass, turning 19 rebounds into 16 second chance points.
The Fayetteville State defense caused its share of mistakes in Saturday's game, forcing 21 Winston-Salem turnovers. Those takeaways turned into 19 points on the offensive end of the floor. Keayna McLaughlin's seven steals led the way individually for the Broncos.
The leading scorers for Winston-Salem State University (13-9, 9-5) were Taniah Wilkins with 13 points and nine rebounds. Senior guard, Valencia Carroll, followed with 11 points and two rebounds. Amaya Tucker put 10 points on the board along with four rebounds.
How It Happened
After falling behind 7-0, Fayetteville State went on a 12-0 run with 7:21 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Talia Trotter, to take a 12-7 lead. The Broncos then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter break with a 12-9 advantage. Fayetteville State did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring eight of its 12 points close to the basket.
Fayetteville State kept its first quarter lead intact before going on a 15-0 run starting at the 6:08 mark in the second period to increase its lead to 32-16. The Rams cut into that lead, but the Broncos still enjoyed a 32-18 advantage heading into halftime. Fayetteville State dominated in the paint, scoring 10 of its 20 points close to the basket.
Fayetteville State continued to preserve its halftime lead before going on a 6-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Bryant, to expand its lead further to 38-20 with 7:57 to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Rams had cut into that lead somewhat, but the Broncos still entered the fourth quarter with a 49-32 edge. Fayetteville State played well near the basket, scoring 10 of its 17 points in the paint.
Fayetteville State kept its lead intact before going on an 8-0 run, finished off by Bryant's three, to grow the lead to 59-39 with 3:00 to go in the contest. The Rams narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Broncos still cruised the rest of the way for the 59-46 win. Fayetteville State fired away from deep in the quarter, knocking down two shots to account for six of its 10 points.
Game Notes
» The Broncos held the Rams to only 22.4 percent shooting from the field.
» The Broncos never trailed after taking a 12-9 first quarter lead.
» Fayetteville State had a great day defensively, holding Winston-Salem to 5 percent from beyond the arc on 19 attempts.
» The Fayetteville State bench made an impact by scoring 27 points to its scoring output.
» Alexis Radcliff and Imani Elliott came off the bench to score 13 and 10 points, respectively.
» Keayna McLaughlin swiped seven steals for the Broncos in the game.
» Fayetteville State had a 53-36 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Fayetteville State defense forced 21 turnovers.
» Fayetteville State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 19 offensive boards in the game.
» Aniylah Bryant led the Broncos with a game-high 14 points.
» London Thompson grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds to lead Fayetteville State and Amina Miles contributed 10.
