FAYETTEVILLE, NC -- The Fayetteville State men's basketball team out-rebounded the Livingstone Blue Bears 40-32 on the way to a 65-42 victory at home Tuesday. This win brings Fayetteville State's record to 14-6 overall and 7-3 in the CIAA, while Livingstone falls to 8-10 overall and 1-6 in the CIAA.
Livingstone's top players were Kingsley Ijeoma, who scored 7 points and grabbed 3 rebounds, and Justin Baxter, who added 6 points and 3 rebounds.
The Broncos had two players score in double figures, led by Caleb Simmons, who had 18 points, nine rebounds, and five steals. Tairell Fletcher added 12 points, and Javon Floyd chipped in with six points and two steals. Led by Anthony Latty's three offensive rebounds, Fayetteville State did a great job crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 13 boards that resulted in 19 second-chance points.
The Fayetteville State defense held Livingstone shooters to only 25.5 percent from the field, including 25 percent from three-point range.
After jumping out to an 8-5 advantage, Fayetteville State went on an 8-0 run with 15:10 left in the first half, culminating in a three from Fletcher, to increase its lead to 16-5. The Broncos then added five points to that lead by the end of the period and entered halftime with a 35-19 advantage. Fayetteville State did most of its first-half damage in the paint, scoring 18 of its 35 points close to the basket.
Following intermission, Fayetteville State kept widening that lead, expanding it to 47-30 before going on a 6-0 run, finished off by Myles Pierre's three, to grow the lead to 53-30 with 9:51 to go in the contest. The Broncos held onto that lead for the rest of the game for the 65-42 win. Fayetteville State took care of business in the paint, recording 18 of its 30 points in the lane.
Fayetteville State never trailed in the game and held the Blue Bears to only 25.5 percent shooting from the field. The Broncos had a 40-32 edge on the boards and forced 17 turnovers. Caleb Simmons led the Broncos with a game-high 18 points and nine rebounds.
Coach Luke D'Alessio commented on his message to the team before the game, saying, "I challenged the team to become the team that we want to be, a hard-nose playing team, able to close out games, win on the road and at home. I know that's the team we are but are we able to do that every single game."
The Broncos will host Carolina Christian on Thursday, January 30th at 11:00 AM for their Education game in which 5th graders from elementary schools in Cumberland County will attend.
