BALTIMORE, MD --The Fayetteville State men's basketball team shot 57.1 percent from beyond the arc on the way to a 77-53 victory against the Bowie State Bulldogs at CFG Bank Arena Wednesday. FSU will advance into the Food Lion CIAA Tournament Semifinals rounds and face the winner of the Virginia Union-Bluefield State quarterfinals.
The Broncos (17-12 overall) had three players score in double figures, led by Tairell Fletcher, who had 24 points and six rebounds. Kaleb Coleman tacked on 21 points, six rebounds and three steals and Caleb Simmons helped out with 15 points and nine rebounds.
Fayetteville State out-rebounded Bowie State 31-19 in Wednesday's game, led by Simmons' nine boards.
The Fayetteville State defense was a problem in Wednesday's game, forcing 14 Bowie State turnovers while committing 13. Those takeaways turned into 15 points on the offensive end of the floor. Coleman's three steals led the way individually for the Broncos.
How It Happened
After jumping out to a 14-11 advantage, Fayetteville State went on an 8-0 run with 11:41 left in the first half, culminating in a three from Coleman, to increase its lead to 22-11. The Broncos then added one point to that lead by the end of the period and entered halftime with a 37-25 advantage. Fayetteville State relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down five shots to account for 15 of its 37 points.
Following intermission, Fayetteville State kept widening that lead, expanding it to 55-41 before going on a 10-0 run, finished off by Fletcher's three, to grow the lead to 65-41 with 4:36 to go in the contest. The Broncos held onto that lead for the rest of the game for the 77-53 win.
Game Notes
» The Broncos made over half of their attempts from three point range, knocking down eight of 14 shots.
» Fayetteville State never trailed in the second half on its way to victory.
»
Tairell Fletcher,
Kaleb Coleman, and
Caleb Simmons combined to account for 78 percent of the Broncos points.
» Fayetteville State had a 31-19 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Fayetteville State defense forced 14 turnovers.
»
Tairell Fletcher had a game-high 24 points and
Kaleb Coleman added 21.
» Fayetteville State got a game-high nine rebounds from
Caleb Simmons.
