FAIRMONT, WV -- The Fayetteville State women's basketball team took control after a 44-44 tie to end the third quarter and beat the Fairmont State Falcons 70-62 on the road Saturday. FSU advances to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen to face Atlantic Region No. 1 Gannon in Erie, Pa. on Tuesday, March 19.
The Broncos (29-2) had two players score in double figures, led by Aniylah Bryant, who had 26 points and seven rebounds. Talia Trotter added 10 points, six rebounds and three steals and Keayna McLaughlin added eight points, seven rebounds and four steals.
Led by Morgan Graham's three offensive rebounds (nine total), Fayetteville State did a great job crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 10 boards that resulted in six second chance points.
The Fayetteville State defense held Fairmont State shooters to only 26.6 percent from the field, including 29.4 percent from three-point range. The Broncos also kept Alyssa DeAngelo to 5-of-17 shooting in the game.
How It Happened
Fayetteville State struggled out of the gate, falling behind 20-11 at the end of the first quarter.
Fayetteville State then cut the Falcons lead to 30-22 before going on a 7-0 run, highlighted by a bucket from McLaughlin, to narrow its deficit to 30-29. Fairmont State responded and expanded its lead, leaving the Broncos trailing 32-29 heading into halftime.
Fairmont State continued to increase its lead after halftime, building a 35-29 advantage before Fayetteville State went on a 7-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Bryant, to grab a 36-35 lead with 7:37 to go in the third. The Falcons then rallied to tie it at 44-44 heading into the fourth quarter. Fayetteville State took advantage of five Fairmont State turnovers in the quarter, scoring eight points off of takeaways.
Fayetteville State then grabbed a 53-48 lead before going on an 11-0 run, finished off by Bryant's layup, to grow its advantage to 64-48 with 3:20 to go in the contest. The Falcons narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Broncos still cruised the rest of the way for the 70-62 win. Fayetteville State took advantage of 10 Fairmont State turnovers in the quarter, scoring 10 points off of those takeaways.
Game Notes
» The Broncos outscored Fairmont State 18-26 in the fourth quarter to break a 44-44 third quarter tie.
» The Broncos held the Falcons to only 26.6 percent shooting from the field.
» The Fayetteville State defense forced 23 turnovers.
» Fayetteville State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 10 offensive boards in the game.
» Aniylah Bryant led the Broncos with a game-high 26 points.
» Fayetteville State got a team-high nine rebounds from Morgan Graham.
