BALTIMORE, MD --The Fayetteville State men's basketball team (17-13 overall) fell short of a third CIAA Championship appearance Friday at the CFG Bank Arena with a 53-49 loss to the Lincoln (PA) in the final game of the semifinals.

No. 6 Lincoln (17-14 overall) had big games from Ethan Garita and Reggie Hudson, who both finished with 11 points each. Korey Williams added ten as the Lions make their first-ever men's basketball championship appearance since rejoining the CIAA in 2008. 

Khalil Ridges led the Broncos with 12 points, six rebounds and three steals. Kaleb Coleman also tacked on nine points and seven rebounds and Darryl Myers helped out with seven points and nine rebounds from the bench.

Led by Myers' four offensive rebounds, Fayetteville State did a great job crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 13 boards that resulted in seven second chance points. The Broncos lost despite a 40-28 rebounding advantage.

Fayetteville State forced 13 Lincoln (PA) turnovers. The Broncos turned those takeaways into six points on the offensive end of the floor. Ridges' three steals led the way for Fayetteville State.

How It Happened

After falling behind 7-3, Fayetteville State went on a 12-0 run with 14:50 left in the first half to take a 15-7 lead. The Broncos then lost some of that lead, but still entered halftime with a 24-23 advantage. FSU capitalized on eight Lincoln turnovers in the period, turning them into six points on the other end of the floor.

Lincoln (PA) proceeded to take a 38-34 lead before Fayetteville State went on a 5-0 run, finished off by Cress Worthy's layup, to seize a 39-38 lead with 7:18 to go in the contest. Lincoln (PA) re-asserted control, outscoring the Broncos 15-10 the rest of the way.

After two lead changes, the Lions gathered control in what would appear to be for good when Peter Sorber sunk a pair of free throws with 1:40 left and a 50-47 advantage. However, FSU's Khalil Ridges responded with a pair of freebies to make it interesting (51-49) as seven seconds reflected on the scoreboard. Followed by a missed free throw shot by the Lions, on the ensuing possession, LUPA was able to get a critical stop that ultimately sealed its punch to the championship title game.

Fayetteville State shot well from three-point range in the half, hitting five shots from deep to score 15 of its 25 points.

Game Notes

» The Broncos put on a passing clinic, recording an assist on 75 percent of made baskets.
» The Fayetteville State bench made an impact by adding 23 points to its scoring output.
» The Fayetteville State defense forced 13 turnovers.
» Fayetteville State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 13 offensive boards in the game.
» Khalil Ridges led the Broncos with a game-high 12 points.
» Fayetteville State got a game-high nine rebounds from Darryl Myers.

Read Full Article