BOWIE, MD -- Tairell Fletcher scored 20 points, but the Fayetteville State men's basketball team fell to the Bowie State Bulldogs 69-66 on the road Saturday. This loss brings Fayetteville State's record to 9-5 overall and 2-2 in the CIAA, while Bowie State improves to 8-7 overall and 1-3 in the CIAA.

Fletcher added three assists to his 20-point game to lead the Broncos. Caleb Simmons helped out with another double-double of 19 points and 13 rebounds, and Myles Pierre chipped in with seven points coming off the bench. Led by Pierre's three offensive rebounds, Fayetteville State did a great job crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 12 boards that resulted in seven second-chance points.

The Fayetteville State defense caused its share of mistakes in Saturday's game, forcing 15 Bowie State turnovers while committing 14. Those takeaways turned into 12 points on the offensive end of the floor. Simmons' two steals led the way individually for the Broncos.

After jumping out to a 30-27 advantage, Fayetteville State went on a 5-0 run with 2:00 left in the first half, culminating in a three from Pierre, to increase its lead to 35-27. The Broncos then lost some of that lead but still entered halftime with a 37-31 advantage. Fayetteville State did most of its first-half damage in the paint, scoring 26 of its 37 points close to the basket.

Bowie State then erased the Fayetteville State lead in the game's final quarter for a 69-66 comeback victory. Fayetteville State made the most of eight offensive rebounds to tack on five second-chance points out of 29 total in the period.

The Broncos shot well from three-point range, knocking down four of 10 long-range attempts. Fayetteville State lost despite a 31-30 rebounding advantage. The Fayetteville State defense forced 15 turnovers and cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 12 offensive boards in the game. 

The next game for the Broncos will be Monday, January 6th at 7:30 PM in Philadelphia, PA, where they will face Lincoln (Pa).