Baltimore, MD – It's the clash of the titans in Baltimore, MD, where the FSU Broncos (Southern Division champs) and the Elizabeth City Vikings (Northern Division champs) face off in the 2024 CIAA Championship game today, March 2. Game time begins at 1:00 pm, followed by the men's championship game at 4:00 pm.
Watch the matchup with an ESPN+ subscription. Visit www.ciaatournament.org to access all tournament information.
About the Broncos
FSU set a program record for wins in a regular season, going 26-2 overall and 17-1 in conference play. It is the most wins in a single year since 1976 when FSU went 25-2 and finished as a runner-up in the CIAA tournament. This year's team enters the championship game as the #1 seed and ranked #15 nationally in the latest Women's Basketball Coaches Association Coaches Poll.
FSU finished the regular season with the third-best scoring offense at 67.2 PPG and tied for the best scoring defense at 58.5 PPG allowed. The Broncos were also the top rebounding unit in the league with 41.5 rebounds per game, 27.7 of which came on the defensive end. Elsewhere in league leaderboards, FSU finished first in blocked shots, second in turnover margin and steals, and fourth in total assists
FSU is hunting for their fifth championship in program history. The Broncos most recently won the tournament in 2019-2020 under head coach Serena King-Coleman. Other title years were 2010, 2001, and 1979. Last season the Broncos entered the tournament but lost in an opening round upset 62-54 to Johnson C. Smith.
In their most recent game on March 1, vs Virginia State, the Broncos outlasted the Trojans in an 86-61 victory.
Aniylah Bryant had a perfect shooting performance, going 11-for-11 on the way to scoring 31 points. Bryant added four assists and four steals to her perfect shooting performance for the Broncos.
Nyah Wilkins helped out with 16 points and three steals and
Talia Trotter chipped in with seven points and 13 assists.
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 also received the Food Lion MVP of the Game Award for the second time this week.
About the Vikings
The Vikings (20-10 overall, 10-7 conference) are the returning champions and have advanced to the CIAA Championship game for the third straight season
In their most recent game vs Claflin in the semifinal round Friday, March 1, the Vikings came out victorious with a score of 70-58.
ECSU had two players score in double figures, including junior Rashauna Grant notching a double-double, filling the box score with 12 rebounds and 10 points. NyAsia Blango finished the game with 18 points, 2 assists, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals. Blango also received the Food Lion MVP of the Game Award.
For more info about FSU Broncos Women's Basketball, visit fsubroncos.com.
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