FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Fayetteville State women's basketball overcame a slow start and leaned on its depth to secure a 70-55 win over Chowan on Monday night at Capel Arena. The victory pushes the Broncos to 7-1 overall and 1-0 in CIAA play, continuing their strong early-season run.
The Broncos' bench proved to be the difference, pouring in 38 points to fuel the comeback. KaNyah O'Neal led Fayetteville State with 15 points and two steals, while Taleah Stephens added 14 points and four assists in a dynamic performance off the bench. Fellow reserve Rebecca Kaba chipped in 12 points, giving the Broncos three players in double figures. Talia Trotter orchestrated the offense with five assists and added four steals on the defensive end.
Chowan (3-4, 1-2 Conference Carolinas) came out firing, building an 18-10 lead after the first quarter behind balanced scoring from Aquarius Pettaway, who finished with 12 points, and Alexandria James-Fearon, who added 10. The Hawks shot 40 percent in the opening period and held Fayetteville State scoreless from beyond the arc.
The Broncos began to claw back in the second quarter, cutting the deficit to 24-21 before an Alivia Evans three-pointer sparked a 5-0 run to give Fayetteville State its first lead at 26-24. Chowan responded to reclaim a 30-26 advantage at halftime, but the momentum had shifted.
After the break, Fayetteville State dominated. The Broncos tied the game at 39-39 midway through the third quarter and then unleashed an 8-0 run, capped by an O'Neal three-pointer, to seize a 47-39 lead. Fayetteville State forced six turnovers in the period and converted them into eight points, entering the fourth quarter ahead 51-44.
The final frame belonged to the Broncos. A decisive 11-0 run, punctuated by a Kaba jumper, stretched the lead to 62-44 with 7:42 remaining. Fayetteville State never looked back, controlling the glass and scoring 10 of its 19 fourth-quarter points in the paint. The Broncos finished with a 44-40 rebounding edge, including 15 offensive boards, and held Chowan to just 32.2 percent shooting for the game.
Chowan's bench contributed 31 points, but turnovers proved costly as the Hawks committed 20 miscues that led to 18 Fayetteville State points. Pettaway and James-Fearon were the bright spots for Chowan, combining for 22 points and seven rebounds.
Fayetteville State shot 42.4 percent from the field and dished out 19 assists on 28 made baskets, showcasing its unselfish play. The win marks the Broncos' sixth straight victory and sets the tone for conference play.
The Broncos will hit the road for their next CIAA match-up, traveling to Petersburg, Virginia, to face Virginia State on Thursday, December 11. The women's game tips off at 5:30 p.m., followed by the men's game at 7:30 p.m. Fans can follow the game on social media and watch live at FSUBroncos.com/gameday.
