BALTIMORE, MD --The Fayetteville State women's basketball team kept Bluefield State (15-13 overall) to just 20 percent shooting from deep in a 5-for-25 performance on the way to a 59-45 win against the Big Blues at CFG Bank Arena Wednesday. FSU will advance into the Food Lion CIAA Tournament Semifinals rounds and face the winner of the Virginia State-Johnson C. Smith quarterfinals.
Aniylah Bryant led the Broncos (25-2 overall) with 25 points, seven rebounds and four steals. Ashara Hayes tacked on two points and 11 rebounds off the bench and Keayna McLaughlin chipped in as well with seven points and two steals.
Fayetteville State did a great job crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 13 boards that resulted in nine second chance points.
Fayetteville State's defense held Bluefield State to only 20 percent shooting from beyond the arc and 24.1 percent from the field. The Broncos also limited Katrina Davis to 1-of-7 shooting from downtown and six points in the game. Alexyss Newman led Big Blue with 19 points and nine rebounds.
How It Happened
Fayetteville State kept it close in the first quarter, but entered the second frame down 11-10.
Fayetteville State fought back to tie the game at 15-15 before going on an 11-0 run, highlighted by a bucket from Bryant, to take a 26-15 lead, a score that would hold until halftime. Fayetteville State was strong from deep in the period, knocking down three three-point shots to account for nine of its 16 points.
Following intermission, Fayetteville State continued to expand its advantage, pushing it to 37-25 before going on a 5-0 run, punctuated by a three from Daziyahna Wilson, to expand its lead further to 42-25 with 2:36 to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Lady Blues had cut into that lead somewhat, but the Broncos still entered the fourth quarter with a 45-30 edge. Fayetteville State knocked down three three-pointers in the quarter to score nine of its 19 total points.
Fayetteville State kept its lead intact before going on a 6-0 run to grow the lead to 54-40 with 2:20 to go in the contest. The Broncos held onto that lead for the rest of the game for the 59-45 win. Fayetteville State took advantage of six Bluefield State turnovers in the quarter, scoring six points off of those takeaways.
Game Notes
» The Broncos held the Lady Blues to only 24.1 percent shooting from the field.
» Fayetteville State never trailed in the second half on its way to victory.
» Fayetteville State had a stellar day defensively, holding Bluefield State to 20 percent from three point land on 25 attempts.
» The Fayetteville State bench came alive by adding 24 points to its scoring output.
» Fayetteville State had a 44-37 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Fayetteville State defense forced 19 turnovers.
» Fayetteville State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 13 offensive boards in the game.
» Aniylah Bryant led the Broncos with a game-high 25 points.
» Fayetteville State got a game-high 11 rebounds from Ashara Hayes.
