COLLEGE PARK, GA --Fayetteville State delivered one of its most thrilling wins of the season Thursday, outlasting Morehouse 99-96 in overtime at The Gateway Center Arena at College Park as part of the Chris Paul HBCU Classic. The Broncos improved to 6-5 overall and 1-2 in CIAA play, while the Maroon Tigers dropped to 4-6 and 4-3 in the SIAC.
Romeo Aquino was the star of the night, pouring in a game-high 25 points while adding five rebounds and four blocks. Ezekiel Cannedy followed with 20 points and four assists, giving Fayetteville State a potent one-two scoring punch. Terrell Williams, returning to form after missing the early part of the season, orchestrated the offense with a double-double of 14 points and 14 assists, his playmaking proving vital in overtime. Larry Howell chipped in 19 points and pulled down six rebounds to lead the Broncos on the glass.
Morehouse battled hard behind Logan McCormick's 20 points and six rebounds, Brandon Peters' 19 points and seven assists, and JerMontae Hill's 15 points and eight boards. Jared White provided a spark off the bench with 11 points on perfect shooting from beyond the arc.
The game was tight throughout, with Morehouse holding a 35-32 halftime lead. Fayetteville State surged in the second half, building a nine-point cushion late before the Maroon Tigers rallied to tie the game at 83-83 and force overtime. In the extra session, the Broncos leaned on their interior scoring, finishing with 54 points in the paint overall, and their defensive presence, recording eight blocks as a team. Aquino's rim protection and Williams' passing helped Fayetteville State outscore Morehouse 16-13 in the final five minutes to secure the win.
The Broncos finished with a slight 37-36 edge in rebounding, converting 10 offensive boards into 17 second-chance points. Their bench contributed 33 points, and the defense forced 15 turnovers while disrupting shots with eight blocks. Morehouse matched Fayetteville State's energy with 42 points in the paint and 32 bench points, but the Broncos' balance and resilience proved decisive.
Fayetteville State showed the depth and toughness that make them dangerous in the CIAA. Aquino's scoring, Cannedy's shooting, Williams' play making, and Howell's rebounding combined to give the Broncos a complete performance. Morehouse's effort was spirited, but in the end, Fayetteville State's ability to finish plays in the lane and execute in overtime carried them to victory.
Fayetteville State now turns its attention to the second day of the Chris Paul HBCU Classic, where the Broncos will face Clark Atlanta on Friday, December 19 at 12:30 pm. That game will be broadcast live on ESPN+, giving the Broncos another chance to showcase their talent on a national stage.
