FAYETTEVILLE, NC -- The Fayetteville State women's basketball team secured a 65-46 victory against the Virginia State Trojans at home on Thursday. This win brings Fayetteville State's record to 6-5 overall and 1-1 in the CIAA, while Virginia State now stands at 7-3 overall and 1-1 in the CIAA. Notably, Virginia State is ranked #7 in the Atlantic Region Polls.
Virginia State's leading scorers were Skylar White and Kendahl Spearman, each contributing 10 points. White also added one rebound, two assists, and one steal, while Spearman recorded two rebounds, one assist, and two steals.
Fayetteville State's bench played a significant role, scoring 21 points. The Broncos had three players in double figures, led by Keayna McLaughlin with 15 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, and three steals. Ashara Hayes added 13 points and six rebounds off the bench, while Morgan Graham chipped in with 13 points, nine rebounds, and five blocks.
The Broncos started strong with a 17-0 run, taking an early lead. Despite some pushback from Virginia State, Fayetteville State maintained a 22-16 advantage at the end of the first quarter. The Broncos continued to dominate in the paint, scoring 14 of their 22 first-quarter points close to the basket.
In the second quarter, Fayetteville State extended their lead to 28-16 with a 6-0 run. The Trojans managed to cut into the lead, but the Broncos still held a 33-22 advantage at halftime. Fayetteville State's dominance in the paint continued, scoring eight of their 11 second-quarter points close to the basket.
The third quarter saw Fayetteville State preserving their lead and expanding it to 47-30 with a 9-0 run. The Trojans reduced the deficit slightly, but the Broncos entered the fourth quarter with a 47-33 lead. Fayetteville State hit two three-pointers in the third quarter, contributing to their 14 total points in the period.
In the final quarter, Fayetteville State went on a 10-0 run to extend their lead to 63-44 with 1:19 remaining. The Broncos maintained their lead for the rest of the game, securing the 65-46 win. Fayetteville State capitalized on their opportunities in the post, scoring 14 of their 18 fourth-quarter points in the paint.
The Broncos held the Trojans to 26.2% shooting from the field and never trailed after taking a 22-16 first-quarter lead. Fayetteville State tallied 16 total assists, with their bench contributing 21 points. They had a 45-39 edge on the boards, forced 15 turnovers, and recorded seven blocks. The Broncos also collected 15 offensive rebounds, with Keayna McLaughlin leading the team with a game-high 15 points and Morgan Graham grabbing a team-high nine rebounds.
Keayna McLaughlin commented on the team's depth, saying, "Everyone can play. We can go deep on our bench and everybody can just play their game." Coach Tyreece Brown also shared his thoughts on practice after the earlier loss, stating, "Practice has been good. One of the key things was Keayna. She's a team player and wants to get everybody involved, but the team wants her to do her thing. We know everyone is going to key on Talia, so she is alleviating that pressure."
The next game is on Saturday, December 21st at 2:00 PM against Bluefield State at home. Admission is free.
