RICHMOND, VA -- Fayetteville State men's basketball gave Virginia Union all it could handle in one of the most dramatic contests of the season, rallying from a halftime deficit and forcing three overtimes before falling 93-88 Saturday at Barco-Stevens Hall.
The Broncos (5-3, 1-0 CIAA) trailed 30-27 at the break but stormed ahead in the second half, building a 13-point lead with under five minutes remaining. That advantage evaporated as Virginia Union (7-1, 1-0 CIAA) mounted a furious comeback, tying the game at 65-65 on a buzzer-beating layup by Nehemiah Johnson to send it to overtime. The Panthers ultimately prevailed in the third extra period after Fayetteville State saw four starters foul out.
Ezekiel Cannedy led Fayetteville State with a game-high 25 points, including six three-pointers, and added three steals. Larry Howell posted a double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds, while Romeo Aquino contributed 15 points and two steals. Kenneth Brayboy anchored the defense with three blocks and eight points off the bench.
Virginia Union countered with balanced scoring and relentless pressure. Tahj Harding paced the Panthers with 18 points, while Travis Vaughn and O'Maundre Harris added 14 apiece. Vaughn delivered the game's most pivotal stretch, scoring five points in the final nine seconds of regulation to complete the comeback. Noa Richardson-Keyes chipped in 10 points and six rebounds, and Malachi Dark added nine points and eight boards.
The game turned after Cannedy's three-pointer tied it at 45-45 with 11:38 remaining. Fayetteville State erupted on a 15-3 run, capped by another Cannedy triple to make it 59-47 with 5:20 left. The Broncos extended their lead to 61-48 at the 4:49 mark, their largest of the game. From there, Virginia Union flipped the script, closing regulation on a 17-4 surge. Vaughn's late heroics—a three-pointer and jumper in the final 10 seconds—set up Harding's clutch triple and Johnson's layup at the buzzer to force overtime.
Both teams traded blows through two extra periods, but Virginia Union's depth and rebounding edge proved decisive in the third. The Panthers outscored Fayetteville State 12-7 in the final frame, capitalizing on second-chance opportunities and free throws as the Broncos battled with a depleted lineup.
Fayetteville State shot 48 percent from the field and 45 percent from three-point range, while Virginia Union dominated the glass 48-38 and scored 34 points off turnovers. The game featured eight ties and seven lead changes.
Despite the loss, Fayetteville State showcased resilience and firepower in a contest that will be remembered as one of the season's most thrilling battles. The Broncos will look to regroup quickly as they travel to Petersburg, Virginia, to face Virginia State on Thursday, December 11 at 7:30 p.m.
