FAYETTEVILLE, NC — Caleb Simmons scored 22 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead Fayetteville State to a 132-51 rout of Carolina Christian on Thursday. The game, played in front of 4,893 fans at Capel Arena, was themed Education Day, with 2,500 fifth graders from the Fayetteville Cumberland County school system in attendance. Fayetteville State was just two points away from tying its highest scoring record of 134-73, set against Claflin University in 1980, also in Fayetteville.

Fayetteville State (15-6, 7-3 CIAA) dominated from the start, racing to a 67-21 halftime lead. Simmons was perfect from the field, hitting all 10 of his shots. Isaiah Ray added a career-high 18 points, including four 3-pointers, and Jayden Beloti came off the bench to score 20 points and pull down eight rebounds.

The Broncos shot 66.7% from the field and 45.9% from beyond the arc. They also out-rebounded Carolina Christian 51-23 and forced 18 turnovers, converting them into 31 points.

Tairell Fletcher contributed 17 points and eight assists for Fayetteville State, which had 31 assists on 54 made baskets. The Broncos scored 70 points in the paint and had 23 fast-break points.

Anthony Phillips led Carolina Christian (2-17 overall) with 20 points. The Crusaders shot just 29% from the field and 19.4% from 3-point range.

Prior to the game, a pep rally was held for the youth, which included introductions of the Broncos' basketball team, a performance by FSU's Cheer Phi Smoov cheerleaders, and the pep band from Pine Forest High School.