RICHMOND, VA - Fayetteville State will look to build on its strong start when the Broncos visit Virginia Union for a key CIAA men's basketball match-up on Saturday, December 6th. Both teams enter the contest with winning records and high-powered offenses, setting up an early-season
a {
text-decoration: none;
color: #464feb;
}
tr th, tr td {
border: 1px solid #e6e6e6;
}
tr th {
background-color: #f5f5f5;
}
match-up featuring two of the league's top contenders.
Fayetteville State (5-2, 1-0 CIAA) is averaging 84 points per game behind the dynamic duo of Larry Howell and Ezekiel Cannedy, who combine for more than 40 points per outing. Howell leads the Broncos with 20.4 points and 6.9 rebounds per game while shooting 86 percent from the free-throw line. Cannedy adds 20 points per game and has knocked down 24 three-pointers at a 35.8 percent clip. Forward Romeo Aquino provides balance inside with 13.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, and a team-high 14 blocks.
The Broncos opened their conference slate with a 73-59 road win over Elizabeth City State on Thursday. Ezekiel Cannedy led the Broncos with 24 points, hitting six three-pointers, while Larry Howell added 19 points and nine rebounds. Romeo Aquino posted a double-double with 13 points and 11 boards as FSU shot 42.1 percent from beyond the arc and outscored ECSU 43-36 in the second half.
Virginia Union (6-1, 1-0 CIAA) counters with one of the league's most efficient offenses, shooting 48.1 percent from the field while holding opponents to 63 points per game. Malachi Dark leads the Panthers with 16.1 points and a .642 field-goal percentage, while Noah Richardson-Keyes adds 13.1 points and nearly four rebounds per game. Guard Bobby Gardner contributes 10.3 points and a team-high 20 assists, and forward Elijah Scranton anchors the paint with 7.6 points and 7.1 rebounds.
a {
text-decoration: none;
color: #464feb;
}
tr th, tr td {
border: 1px solid #e6e6e6;
}
tr th {
background-color: #f5f5f5;
}
The Panthers earned a 68-49 win at Shepherd on Wednesday, powered by a balanced attack and stifling defense. Bobby Gardner and Noah Richardson-Keyes each scored 13 points, while Elijah Scranton added 10 points and 10 rebounds. The Panthers shot 50 percent from the field and held Shepherd to 34.5 percent shooting, extending their winning streak to three games.
What to Watch:
- Fayetteville State's ability to protect the ball against Virginia Union's pressure defense, which averages 11.7 steals per game.
- The battle on the boards, where VUU holds a +5.7 rebounding margin while FSU averages 37 rebounds per game.
- Free throws could play a role, as the Broncos shoot 73.5 percent from the line compared to the Panthers' 65.8 percent.
Tip-off is set for 4:00 p.m. at Barco-Stevens Hall.
Follow the game on the FSU Broncos Athletics social media sites or fsubroncos.com/gameday.
