FAYETTEVILLE, NC --The Fayetteville State women's basketball team got a 29-point showing from the bench on the way to a 71-54 win against the Bowie State Bulldogs at home Thursday.

The Broncos (11-1, 4-0) had three players score in double figures, led by Aniylah Bryant, who had 13 points and two steals. Nyah Wilkins tacked on 13 points and two steals from the bench and Keayna McLaughlin chipped in as well with 10 points.

The Bulldogs (9-6, 3-2) leading scorer, Jayla Irvin, led the team with 22 points.

Ashara Hayes pulled down two offensive rebounds to lead an offense that racked up second chance opportunities for Fayetteville State, grabbing 10 boards and turning them into six second chance points.

The Fayetteville State defense held Bowie State shooters to just 23 percent from the field, including 26.7 percent from three-point range. The Broncos also kept Katerra Myers to 2-of-14 shooting and nine points in the game.

How It Happened

Fayetteville State kept it close in the first quarter, but entered the second frame down 13-11.

Fayetteville State then cut the Bulldogs lead to 18-17 before going on a 7-0 run to take a 24-18 lead. The Bulldogs cut into that lead, but the Broncos still enjoyed a 24-20 advantage heading into halftime. Fayetteville State forced six Bowie State turnovers in the period and turned them into five points.

Fayetteville State wasted no time building on its lead, going on a 7-0 run, punctuated by a three from Hayes, to expand its lead further to 31-20 with 5:53 to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Bulldogs had cut into that lead somewhat, but the Broncos still entered the fourth quarter with a 47-37 edge. Fayetteville State took advantage of seven Bowie State turnovers in the quarter, scoring nine points off of takeaways.

Fayetteville State kept its lead intact before going on a 7-0 run to grow the lead to 61-45 with 4:57 to go in the contest. The Broncos kept expanding the margin and coasted the rest of the way for the 71-54 win. Fayetteville State got a boost from its bench in the period, with non-starters scoring nine of its 24 total points.

Game Notes

» The Broncos held the Bulldogs to only 23 percent shooting from the field.
» Fayetteville State never trailed in the second half on its way to victory.
» The Fayetteville State bench made an impact by scoring 29 points to its scoring output.
» The Fayetteville State defense forced 15 turnovers.
» The Broncos were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, tallying seven blocks as a team.
» Fayetteville State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 10 offensive boards in the game.
» Aniylah Bryant and Nyah Wilkins led the Broncos with 13 points apiece.
» Fayetteville State got a team-high seven rebounds from Morgan Graham.

The Broncos will face off against the Lincoln Lions at Felton J. Capel Arena on Saturday, January 6th with tipoff beginning at 2:00pm.