BLUEFIELD, W.Va. — Fayetteville State earned a hard‑fought 93–90 victory over Bluefield State on Monday evening, edging the Big Blue—now 5–5 overall and 1–2 in CIAA play—in a wire‑to‑wire battle inside Ned Shott Gymnasium. The win lifts the Broncos to 8–2 on the season and 2–1 in conference action.
FSU's offensive rhythm was evident from the opening tip, shooting nearly 58 percent in the first quarter to take a 25–22 lead. Kelis Carmon, who finished with a team‑high 17 points and seven rebounds, set the tone early with her physical presence in the paint. She scored seven points in the opening frame and controlled the glass on both ends, establishing the interior advantage that would carry through the night. Taleah Stephens added to the early surge with her trademark efficiency, scoring 13 points on 4‑of‑5 shooting and going a perfect 5‑for‑5 at the free‑throw line, including two clutch makes in the final minute.
The Broncos created meaningful separation in the second quarter, delivering one of their most efficient stretches of the season. Fayetteville State shot 10‑for‑13 in the period and used a 9–0 run fueled by defensive pressure from KaNyah O'Neal and Amina Miles. O'Neal, who turned in one of the most complete performances of the night with 11 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and five steals, repeatedly disrupted passing lanes and pushed the tempo in transition. Miles added four steals of her own, helping FSU build a 52–43 halftime advantage. Depth was equally important, as Samiyah Barker and Nyah Wilkins combined for 20 points off the bench, providing timely scoring bursts that kept the Broncos in control.
Bluefield State responded in the third quarter behind the outstanding play of Jasmine Jenkins, who led all scorers with 25 points on 9‑of‑18 shooting. Jenkins attacked the rim relentlessly and knocked down two threes, keeping the Big Blue within striking distance. She was joined by reserve guard Leniyah Fulsom, who delivered a major spark with 21 points off the bench, including three three‑pointers and several momentum‑shifting drives. Their combined production helped Bluefield State trim the deficit to five late in the period, capitalizing on several FSU turnovers.
Despite the push, the Broncos maintained their composure thanks to O'Neal's steady two‑way presence and the continued contributions of the bench. Barker's perimeter shooting and Wilkins' interior finishing helped FSU enter the fourth quarter with a 75–64 lead.
The final period brought the most dramatic stretch of the game. Bluefield State opened on a 12–3 run, fueled again by Jenkins and Fulsom, cutting the Broncos' lead to just two with under three minutes remaining. With momentum shifting, Carmon delivered the defining play of the night—grabbing an offensive rebound and converting a put‑back through contact to restore a two‑possession lead. Stephens added two critical free throws in the final minute, and O'Neal sealed the win with a late steal as FSU held off the final surge.
Fayetteville State's ability to control the interior proved decisive, as the Broncos scored 58 points in the paint and shot 58.1 percent from the field overall, including a remarkable 76.9 percent in the second quarter. Their defensive pressure generated 27 points off turnovers, helping them withstand Bluefield State's 11 made three‑pointers and the combined 46 points from Jenkins and Fulsom.
With the win, the Broncos head into the holiday break on a strong note. FSU will now pause competition for several weeks before returning to action on January 8, when they host Virginia Union to resume CIAA play.
