SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. — Fayetteville State opened its season with a defensive clinic, forcing 28 turnovers and holding Shippensburg to 23.8 percent shooting in a 52-37 win Friday at Heiges Field House during the PSAC/CIAA Challenge.

The Red Raiders managed just 2-of-20 from beyond the arc, a testament to Fayetteville State's relentless perimeter pressure.

"We wanted to set the tone early," head coach Tyreece Brown said. "Our goal was to make them uncomfortable, and I think we did that. When you hold a team to 10 percent from three and force 28 turnovers, that's the kind of effort we expect."

KaNyah O'Neal led the Broncos (1-0) with 11 points, eight rebounds and four steals, including four offensive boards that fueled 15 second-chance points. The bench contributed 24 points, highlighted by Nyah Wilkins' five points and two steals.

Fayetteville State wasted no time asserting control, opening the game on a 9-0 run capped by a Talia Trotter layup. By the end of the first quarter, the Broncos led 15-4, scoring 12 points in the paint. A second-quarter surge — punctuated by a Kelis Carmon three-pointer — stretched the margin to 26-11 at halftime.

"We talked about starting fast," O'Neal said. "That first run gave us confidence, and from there we just kept attacking."

The Broncos extended their lead to 42-27 after three quarters and sealed the win with a 5-0 spurt late in the fourth, finished by a Laila Lewis layup for a 52-31 cushion.

Shippensburg's Melana Eyer scored 10 points but struggled from deep, hitting just 2-of-13 from three-point range.

Fayetteville State dominated inside, scoring 38 points in the paint and blocking six shots. The Broncos also converted 15 second-chance points off 13 offensive rebounds.

"We're proud of the effort," Brown said. "But we know we have another challenge tomorrow against a very good Millersville team."

Fayetteville State faces Millersville on Saturday at 5 p.m. to close out the PSAC/CIAA Challenge.