FAYETTEVILLE, NC -- In a thrilling finish, Javon Floyd knocked down a crucial shot with just 17 seconds remaining, securing a 76-75 victory for the Fayetteville State men's basketball team against the UNC Pembroke Braves at home on Wednesday. This win brought the Broncos' record to 2-1.
The Broncos showcased a balanced offensive effort with four players scoring in double figures. Tairell Fletcher led the charge with 23 points and four assists, while Ezekiel Cannedy contributed 20 points. Caleb Simmons also made a significant impact, adding 17 points, nine rebounds, and three steals.
Fayetteville State dominated the boards, out-rebounding Pembroke 29-27, with Simmons leading the way with his nine rebounds. The Broncos' defense was also a key factor, forcing 15 turnovers and converting those into 17 points. Simmons' three steals were instrumental in this defensive effort.
Coach Luke D'Alessio emphasized the importance of rebounding in his post-game comments, saying, "They (Pembroke) hang their hat on being the best rebound team in the country. So my thing is, we have to out-rebound them. I don't care what happens, if you out-rebound them, great things happen during the game. That means we are working really hard."
The game saw Fayetteville State rally from a 32-20 deficit with a 7-0 run late in the first half, eventually tying the game at 39-39 by halftime. The Broncos capitalized on 11 turnovers by Pembroke in the first half, scoring 13 points off those mistakes.
In the second half, Pembroke managed to take a 59-55 lead, but Fayetteville State responded with a 6-0 run, capped by a jumper from Fletcher, to take a 61-59 lead with 8:17 remaining. Despite a late push from the Braves, the Broncos held on for the narrow victory.
Tairell Fletcher reflected on the team's performance, stating, "We stuck to the coach's plan and we started getting stops. We always get to a slow start, but as long as we play defense, that leads to a great offense."
The game was marked by several notable performances. Fayetteville State outscored Pembroke 37-36 in the second half to secure the win. The Broncos were efficient from beyond the arc, hitting seven of their 16 three-point attempts. Fletcher, Cannedy, and Simmons combined to score 79 percent of the team's points. The Broncos also displayed strong defensive play, recording five blocks as a team.
For Pembroke, who fell to 1-4 with this loss, Bradlee Haskell led the scoring with 21 points, followed closely by JaJuan Carr with 20 points. Despite their efforts, the Braves couldn't overcome the resilient Broncos.
The Broncos will travel to Atlanta, GA to play Tuskegee in the HBCU Clark Atlanta Classic on Saturday, November 16th at 3:00 PM. Follow the team on fsubroncos.com/gameday.
