FAYETTEVILLE, NC --The Fayetteville State women's basketball team got a 20-point performance from the bench on the way to a 63-49 victory over the Winston-Salem Rams at home Saturday.
The Broncos (16-2, 9-1) had two players score in double figures, led by Aniylah Bryant, who had 12 points and three steals. Talia Trotter added 11 points and four assists and Morgan Graham added nine points, eight rebounds and five blocks.
The Rams (7-12, 1-8) were led by Erin Hall with 8 points. Taniah Wilkins also contributed with 10 rebounds.
Led by Keayna McLaughlin's three offensive rebounds, Fayetteville State did a great job crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 10 boards that resulted in nine second chance points.
Fayetteville State forced 23 Winston-Salem turnovers while committing 17 themselves in Saturday's game. The Broncos turned those takeaways into 23 points on the other end of the floor. Bryant's three steals led the way for Fayetteville State.
How It Happened
After jumping out to a 14-10 advantage, Fayetteville State went on a 6-0 run with 2:43 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Bryant, to increase its lead to 20-10. The Broncos then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter break with a 20-12 advantage. Fayetteville State did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring 14 of its 20 points close to the basket.
Fayetteville State kept its first quarter lead intact before going on an 8-0 run starting at the 5:50 mark in the second period, highlighted by a three from Tanjaneeka Eichelberger, to increase its lead to 32-16. The Rams cut into that lead, but the Broncos still enjoyed a 32-22 advantage heading into halftime. Fayetteville State was strong from deep in the period, knocking down two three-point shots to account for six of its 12 points.
Fayetteville State continued to preserve its halftime lead before going on an 8-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Bryant, to expand its lead further to 44-32 with 3:29 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 48-40 edge. Fayetteville State played well near the basket, scoring 10 of its 16 points in the paint.
Fayetteville State kept its lead intact before going on a 7-0 run, finished off by Trotter's layup, to grow the lead to 58-44 with 5:55 to go in the contest. The Broncos held onto that lead for the rest of the game for the 63-49 win. Fayetteville State fired away from deep in the quarter, knocking down three shots to account for nine of its 15 points.
Game Notes
» The Broncos held the Rams to only 28.8 percent shooting from the field.
» The Broncos never trailed after taking a 20-12 first quarter lead.
» The Fayetteville State bench came alive by adding 20 points to its scoring output.
» The Fayetteville State defense forced 23 turnovers.
» The Broncos were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, recording nine blocks as a team.
» Fayetteville State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 10 offensive boards in the game.
» Aniylah Bryant led the Broncos with a game-high 12 points.
» Fayetteville State got a team-high nine rebounds from Keayna McLaughlin.
The Broncos will be back at Felton J. Capel Arena on Wednesday, January 31st to face off against the Clafin Panthers. Tip-off will begin at 5:30 pm.
