BLUEFIELD, W.Va. — In front of a crowd of 109 inside Ned Shott Gymnasium, Fayetteville State entered Monday night's matchup hoping to rise above .500 and gain ground in the CIAA standings. Instead, the Broncos ran into a Bluefield State team that shot over 50 percent from the field and leaned on two explosive scorers, ultimately falling 81–74 in a game filled with momentum swings and standout individual performances. The loss drops Fayetteville State to 5–5 overall and 1–2 in CIAA play, while Bluefield State improves to 3–8 and 2–2 in the conference.
The night belonged to Terrell Williams, who delivered one of the most complete performances of his career. He scored 24 points on 7-of-14 shooting, grabbed nine rebounds, handed out seven assists, and collected three steals in 38 minutes. Williams attacked the rim relentlessly, earning 11 free‑throw attempts and converting 10 of them. His presence kept the Broncos competitive throughout, even as Bluefield State's offense surged behind its own star duo.
Bluefield State's Ellija Preddy was nearly unstoppable, scoring 30 points on 11-of-16 shooting while slicing through the lane with ease. His backcourt partner, Myles Pierre, added 23 points and knocked down five three‑pointers, giving the Big Blues a one‑two punch that Fayetteville State struggled to contain. Together, they combined for 53 of Bluefield State's 81 points and set the tone for a team that shot 51.9 percent from the field and 35 percent from beyond the arc.
The first half featured several swings. Fayetteville State struggled from deep, hitting just one of six three‑point attempts, but stayed alive by attacking the paint and converting 16 of 18 free throws. Williams and Larry Howell carried much of the early scoring load, while the Broncos' defense forced turnovers to keep the game close. Bluefield State countered with efficient shooting, knocking down six threes and building a 36–28 lead before the Broncos responded with a 5–0 run. Still, the Big Blues closed the half strong and took a 40–35 advantage into the break.
Fayetteville State sharpened its offense in the second half, shooting 48 percent from the field and continuing to dominate inside. Howell finished with 12 points and four rebounds, while Travon Cooper provided a major lift off the bench with 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting, four rebounds, and a steal. Ezekiel Cannedy added eight points, and Kenneth Brayboy contributed seven, including a timely first‑half three that halted a Bluefield State run. Romeo Aquino added six points and four rebounds, while Darius Boben chipped in five points in limited minutes.
Despite the improved efficiency, Bluefield State continued to answer every push. The Big Blues shot 54 percent in the second half and repeatedly found timely baskets, whether through Preddy's drives or Pierre's perimeter shooting. With four minutes remaining, Bluefield State built its largest lead at 73–62. Fayetteville State responded with a 6–0 burst capped by a Williams layup, cutting the deficit to 73–68 with 2:11 left and shifting the energy on the Broncos' bench. But Bluefield State steadied itself once more, closing the game at the free‑throw line and securing the win.
Fayetteville State showed grit in several areas, scoring 36 points in the paint, generating 17 fast‑break points, forcing 16 turnovers, and converting 26 of 29 free throws for an impressive 89.7 percent mark. The Broncos also grabbed 11 offensive rebounds and turned them into second‑chance opportunities. However, Bluefield State's shooting efficiency, 39 total rebounds, and 17 second‑chance points ultimately proved decisive.
Despite the loss, the Broncos leave Bluefield with clear positives: Williams' elite two‑way performance, Cooper's bench production, and a team that continues to fight through adversity. At 5–5, Fayetteville State remains firmly in the mix as CIAA play deepens, with the challenge now shifting to turning competitive road efforts into wins.
