FAYETTEVILLE, NC -- Fayetteville State men's basketball delivered a heart-stopping 95-94 overtime victory over Augusta on Saturday at Capel Arena, a win that showcased resilience and depth against one of the Peach Belt Conference's toughest teams.
The Broncos, now 2-2 on the season, leaned on their stars when it mattered most. Larry Howell led the way with 24 points, seven rebounds, and four steals, while Romeo Aquino posted a double-double with 23 points and 10 boards. Ezekiel Cannedy added 15 points, and Travon Cooper II and Darius Boben chipped in 12 and 14 points respectively, giving Fayetteville State five players in double figures.
Augusta, which fell to 2-4 with the loss, didn't go down without a fight. Elias Palsson was nearly unstoppable, scoring a game-high 35 points on 10-of-16 shooting, including five three-pointers, and grabbing eight rebounds. Luis Nonfon added 18 points and seven boards, while Charlie McBeath contributed 12 points and a team-high 10 rebounds.
The first half was a tug-of-war until Fayetteville State broke a 34-34 tie with an 11-0 run sparked by Howell's hustle and Boben's mid-range touch. That surge gave the Broncos a 45-34 lead, and they entered halftime ahead 49-38 after pounding the paint for 26 points.
Augusta clawed back in the second half behind Palsson's hot hand, erasing the deficit and tying the game at 74-74 with under five minutes to play. The Broncos answered with a quick 5-0 spurt, only to see the Jaguars rally again and force overtime at 87-87.
In the extra frame, Fayetteville State leaned on its veterans. Aquino muscled his way to key buckets, Howell converted clutch free throws, and the defense forced Augusta into tough looks. When the final horn sounded, the Broncos had outscored the Jaguars 8-7 in overtime to seal the 95-94 win.
The box score tells the story of Fayetteville State's defensive intensity: 23 forced turnovers, 31 points off those takeaways, and 15 steals. Howell's four thefts set the tone, while Cannedy and Cooper added timely pressure in the backcourt. Offensively, the Broncos showcased balance and toughness. They scored 46 points in the paint, attacked the rim to earn 39 free-throw attempts, and never trailed in the second half. Bench players contributed 20 points and key minutes in crunch time, underscoring the depth head coach [insert name] has emphasized all season.
Despite the loss, Augusta's offensive firepower was on full display. Palsson's 35 points kept the Jaguars within striking distance all afternoon, while Nonfon and McBeath combined for 30 points and 17 rebounds. Augusta shot 50 percent from the field and 54.5 percent from three-point range, keeping pressure on Fayetteville State until the final possession.
With the win, Fayetteville State improves to 2-2 and builds momentum heading into Tuesday's home matchup against Coker. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. at Capel Arena, where the Broncos will look to extend their winning streak and continue sharpening their identity before CIAA play begins.
