BOWIE, Md. – Fayetteville State came out firing on all cylinders, building a commanding 17-point lead midway through the first half. Behind the dynamic duo of Ezekiel Cannedy and Larry Howell, the Broncos looked poised to control the game. But Gannon's depth and relentless pace turned the tide, and FSU fell 102-92 in a high-scoring battle at A.C. Jordan Arena.
The Broncos' offense was electric early. Cannedy poured in a game-high 30 points, attacking the rim and knocking down three shots from beyond the arc, while Howell added 29 points and three steals in a performance that showcased his versatility. Travon Cooper chipped in 11 points and eight rebounds, giving Fayetteville State a strong inside presence.
Fayetteville State's defensive pressure was a major storyline. The Broncos forced 23 Gannon turnovers and converted them into 20 points, while Romeo Aquino led the charge with three steals and eight rebounds. Omari Byrd added grit on the glass, pulling down three offensive boards that fueled second-chance opportunities. In total, FSU grabbed 14 offensive rebounds and turned them into 17 points, a testament to their hustle.
Despite those efforts, the game shifted late in the first half. After a 7-0 run pushed the Broncos ahead 51-34, Gannon stormed back, closing the half on a surge that left Fayetteville State trailing 56-51 at the break. From there, the Golden Knights controlled the tempo, using their size and depth to dominate the paint and the boards. Both teams finished with 46 points in the lane, but Gannon's 42 rebounds and timely shooting proved decisive.
The Broncos excelled at the free-throw line, hitting 33-of-39 attempts for an impressive 84.6%. But cold shooting from deep (3-of-16) and defensive lapses allowed Gannon to pull away in the second half.
Head Coach Devin Hoehn praised his team's fight despite the loss:
"We showed we can score with anyone. Ezekiel and Larry were phenomenal, and our guys battled on the glass. Now it's about sustaining that energy and tightening up defensively. These are the games that prepare us for conference play."
Fayetteville State falls to 1-1 on the season and will look to bounce back with lessons learned from a game that showcased both their offensive firepower and areas for growth.
