BALTIMORE, MD -- Aniylah Bryant went a perfect 11-for-11 on the way to scoring 31 points in Fayetteville State women's basketball 86-61 victory over the Virginia State Trojans in the Food Lion CIAA Semifinals at CFG Bank Arena Friday. The Broncos will make a return to the Championship game since winning it in 2020 and take on the North's #1 seed Elizabeth City State at 1pm on Saturday.
Bryant added four assists and four steals to her perfect shooting performance for the Broncos (22-2 overall). Nyah Wilkins helped out with 16 points and three steals and Talia Trotter chipped in with seven points and 13 assists.
Fayetteville State shared the ball well in Friday's game, racking up 25 assists on 33 made field goals. Trotter's 13 assists paced the Broncos.
The Fayetteville State defense caused its share of mistakes in Friday's game, forcing 20 Virginia State turnovers while committing 17. Those takeaways turned into 21 points on the other end of the floor. Bryant's four steals led the way individually for the Broncos.
How It Happened
After jumping out to a 4-3 advantage, Fayetteville State went on a 6-0 run with 7:26 left in the first quarter, culminating in a three from Bryant, to increase its lead to 10-3. The Broncos then added one point to that lead by the end of the period and entered the quarter break with a 23-15 advantage. Fayetteville State got a great contribution from its bench in the period, as non-starters accounted for six of its 23 total points.
The Broncos used the second period to increase their lead and entered halftime with a 37-26 edge. Fayetteville State dominated in the paint, scoring 14 of its 14 points close to the basket.
Following intermission, Fayetteville State continued to expand its advantage, pushing it to 44-31 before going on a 5-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Morgan Graham, to expand its lead further to 49-31 with 6:09 to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Trojans had cut into that lead somewhat, but the Broncos still entered the fourth quarter with a 61-45 edge. Fayetteville State scored six fast break points in the quarter.
Fayetteville State kept widening that lead, expanding it to 68-51 before going on an 8-0 run, finished off by Bryant's three, to grow the lead to 76-51 with 5:00 to go in the contest. The Broncos held onto that lead for the rest of the game for the 86-61 win. Fayetteville State took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring 14 of its 25 points in the paint.
Game Notes
» Aniylah Bryant was perfect from the field for the Broncos, going 11-for-11 and scoring 31 points.
» The Broncos held the Trojans to only 33.3 percent shooting from the field.
» The Broncos never trailed after taking a 23-15 first quarter lead.
» The Broncos put on a passing clinic, recording an assist on 76 percent of made field goals.
» Talia Trotter collected 13 assists for Fayetteville State.
» Fayetteville State had a 33-30 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Fayetteville State defense forced 20 turnovers.
» The Broncos were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, tallying five blocks as a team.
» Aniylah Bryant led the Broncos with a game-high 31 points.
» Fayetteville State got six rebounds from both Keayna McLaughlin and Laila Harris.
