FAYETTEVILLE, NC --The Fayetteville State women's basketball team will head into the CIAA Tournament as the Southern Division Champs and the overall number 1 seed with a 14-2 conference record and a 9-1 divisional record. The Broncos (18-6 overall) held Saint Augustine's to just 7.7 percent from deep in a 1-for-13 shooting performance on the way to a 76-44 win over the Falcons at home Saturday. The three seniors of London Thompson, Imani Elliott, and Jaeda Scott were recognized following the game as part of Senior Day festivities.
Aniylah Bryant led the Broncos with 14 points and five steals. Morgan Graham tacked on nine points, seven rebounds and two blocks off of the bench and London Thompson helped out with five points and nine rebounds.
Saint Augustine's (8-16, 4-12, 2-8) were led by Lauren Banks with 10 points and four rebounds, followed by Taniyah Greene with nine points and four rebounds as well as four steals.
Fayetteville State grabbed 50 rebounds in Saturday's game compared to Saint Augustine's 42, led by Thompson's nine boards. The Broncos also cleaned up the offensive glass, turning 20 rebounds into 17 second chance points.
Fayetteville State's defense held Saint Augustine's to only 7.7 percent shooting from beyond the arc and 25.5 percent from the field.
How It Happened
Fayetteville State started off strong, putting together a 16-10 lead heading into the second quarter. Fayetteville State relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down four shots to account for 12 of its 16 points.
Fayetteville State kept its first quarter lead intact before going on an 11-0 run starting at the 9:08 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from Amina Miles, to increase its lead to 27-10. The Broncos proceeded to tack on six points to that lead and enjoyed a 41-18 advantage heading into halftime. Fayetteville State was strong from deep in the period, knocking down four three-point shots to account for 12 of its 25 points.
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 60-32 with 33 seconds to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Falcons had cut into that lead somewhat, but the Broncos still entered the fourth quarter with a 60-34 edge. Fayetteville State took advantage of nine Saint Augustine's turnovers in the quarter, scoring 12 points off of takeaways.
Fayetteville State started tacking on points in the fourth almost immediately, going on a 5-0 run, finished off by Talia Trotter's three, to grow the lead to 65-34 with 8:10 to go in the contest. The Broncos kept expanding the margin and coasted the rest of the way for the 76-44 win. Fayetteville State got a boost from its bench in the period, with non-starters scoring 13 of its 16 total points.
Game Notes
» Fayetteville State lit it up from three point land, knocking down 11 treys in the game.
» The Broncos held the Falcons to only 25.5 percent shooting from the field.
» The Broncos never trailed after taking a 16-10 first quarter lead.
» Fayetteville State recorded 17 total assists in the game.
» Fayetteville State had a stellar day defensively, holding Saint Augustine's to 8 percent from three point land on 13 attempts.
» The Fayetteville State bench came alive by adding 39 points to its scoring output.
» The Broncos forced 24 Saint Augustine's turnovers while committing only 14 on the other end.
» Fayetteville State had a 50-42 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Fayetteville State defense forced 24 turnovers.
» Fayetteville State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 20 offensive boards in the game.
» Aniylah Bryant led the Broncos with a game-high 14 points.
» Fayetteville State got a game-high nine rebounds from London Thompson.
