BALTIMORE, MD --Caleb Simmons and Tairell Fletcher combined to score 31 total points - 60.8 percent of Fayetteville State's points - but the Broncos fell to the Lincoln (PA) Lions 54-51 at CFG Bank Arena Saturday during the CIAA Men's Basketball Championship.

Simmons led the Broncos (18-13) with 21 points and six rebounds. Fletcher added 10 points and Kaleb Coleman chipped in as well with eight points and 12 rebounds.

Fayetteville State pulled down 37 rebounds in Saturday's game compared to Lincoln (PA)'s 24, led by Coleman's 12 boards. The Broncos also cleaned up the offensive glass, turning 16 rebounds into 13 second-chance points.

The Fayetteville State defense held Lincoln (PA) shooters to just 38.6 percent from the field. The Lions did not get many second opportunities on the offensive end, as they grabbed only eight offensive rebounds and scored eight second-chance points.

How It Happened

After jumping out to a 9-8 advantage, Fayetteville State went on a 6-0 run with 8:23 left in the first half, culminating in a three from Myles Pierre, to increase its lead to 15-8. The Broncos then lost some of that lead but still entered halftime with a 21-20 advantage. Fayetteville State relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down three shots to account for nine of its 21 points.

Lincoln (PA) proceeded to take a 31-30 lead before Fayetteville State went on a 6-0 run to seize a 36-31 lead with 10:11 to go in the contest. Lincoln (PA) re-asserted control, outscoring the Broncos 23-15 the rest of the way to hand Fayetteville State the 54-51 loss. Fayetteville State made the most of seven offensive rebounds to tack on eight second-chance points out of 30 total in the period.

Game Notes

» The Broncos held the Lions to only 38.6 percent shooting from the field.
» Caleb Simmons, Tairell Fletcher, and Kaleb Coleman combined to account for 76 percent of the Broncos points.

» Fayetteville State lost despite a 37-24 rebounding advantage.

» Fayetteville State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 16 offensive boards in the game.
» Caleb Simmons led the Broncos with a game-high 21 points.
» Fayetteville State got a game-high 12 rebounds from Kaleb Coleman.

2024 CIAA Men's All-Tournament Team
Jordan Hinds, Guard (Bluefield State University) 
Reggie Raynoe, Guard (Elizabeth City State University) 
Jailen Williams, Forward (Claflin University) 
Tremere Brown, Forward (Virginia State University) 
Alston Sherrell, Center (Johnson C. Smith University) 
Kaleb Coleman, Forward (Fayetteville State University)
Peter Sorber (Trenton, N.J./Trenton Catholic), Center (Lincoln University) 
Jaylen Alston, Forward (Winston-Salem State University) 
Tairell Fletcher, Guard (Fayetteville State University)
Reggie Hudson (Bronx, N.Y./St. Raymond's), Guard (Lincoln University) 

2024 CIAA Men's Team Sportsmanship Award
Johnson C. Smith University

Read Full Article