FAYETTEVILLE, NC -- Fayetteville State women's basketball continued its strong start to the season with a convincing 79-63 victory over Catawba on Monday night at Capel Arena. The win pushes the Broncos to 5-1 overall, while the Indians fall to 2-3.
The Broncos showcased depth and balance, getting 36 points from the bench to complement a trio of double-figure scorers. KaNyah O'Neal led the way with 16 points and two steals, shooting an efficient 7-of-9 from the field. Alivia Evans added 11 points, including three three-pointers, and Kelis Carmon chipped in 10 points while swiping five steals.
Fayetteville State dominated the glass, pulling down 40 rebounds to Catawba's 34, and converted 12 offensive boards into 15 second-chance points. Evans was instrumental in that effort with two offensive rebounds. The Broncos also shared the ball effectively, recording assists on 90 percent of their made baskets, a testament to their unselfish play.
Defensively, Fayetteville State stifled Catawba's attack, holding the Indians to 34.4 percent shooting and just 27.8 percent from beyond the arc. The Broncos forced 24 turnovers, turning them into 26 points, and blocked seven shots to protect the paint.
Catawba was led by Bailee Goodlett, who scored a game-high 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for a double-double. Mary Spry added 14 points and four rebounds, but the Indians struggled to keep pace after the first quarter.
After trailing 9-7 early, Fayetteville State erupted on an 11-0 run sparked by Evans' three-pointer to seize an 18-9 lead. The Broncos never looked back, finishing the first quarter ahead 29-16 thanks to four made threes. They carried that momentum into halftime with a 48-36 advantage, fueled by nine points from beyond the arc in the second period.
The third quarter saw Fayetteville State extend its lead with an 8-0 run, capped by a basket from Taleah Stephens, to go up 64-50. The Broncos dominated inside during that stretch, scoring 14 of their 16 points in the paint. In the final frame, Fayetteville State maintained control, outscoring Catawba 15-13 to seal the win.
The Broncos finished the night shooting 52.6 percent from the field and 36 percent from three-point range, while their bench provided a critical spark. Fayetteville State's ability to combine defensive pressure with offensive efficiency continues to define its early-season success.
Fayetteville State opens CIAA play on Thursday, December 4 at 5:30 p.m. when they travel to Elizabeth City, N.C. to face Elizabeth City State in their first conference game of the season.
