Game Preview: Fayetteville State vs. Livingstone Women's Basketball

Date: February 15, 2025
Time: 2:00 PM
Location: New Trent Gym, Salisbury, NC
Game Links: fsubroncos.com/gameday

The upcoming game between Fayetteville State and Livingstone women's basketball teams is set to be an exciting match-up, with both teams looking to make a statement as the regular season comes to an end.

Fayetteville State Season
Fayetteville State has had a strong season so far, boasting a record of 16-7 overall and 11-3 in conference play. They have been consistent in their performance, showcasing a solid defense and efficient scoring. They are eagerly anticipating a rematch against Livingstone, the team that handed them their only Southern Division loss this season. 

Top Players:

• Talia Trotter: Averaging 13.9 points per game, Trotter is the team's leading scorer and a key playmaker, contributing significantly to their offensive success.
• Keayna McLaughlin: With 11.3 points per game, McLaughlin is a versatile player who also adds 4.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game, making her a crucial all-around contributor.
• KaNyah O'Neal: O'Neal averages 7.6 points per game and provides energy off the bench, adding depth to the team's rotation with her scoring and defensive efforts.

Team Strengths:

• Scoring margin of 13.4 points per game
• Forcing turnovers, averaging 20.9 points off turnovers per game

 
Livingstone Season Overview
Livingstone has had a more challenging season with a record of 9-14 overall and 7-6 in conference play. Despite their struggles, they have shown resilience and have some standout players.

Top Players:

• Morgan Kelson: Leading the team with 14.5 points and 10.4 rebounds per game, Kelson is a dominant force in the paint and a double-double machine, crucial for both scoring and rebounding.
• Thalia Carter: Averaging 12.3 points per game, Carter is a consistent scorer and also contributes 5.6 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game, making her a key defensive presence.
• Samiyah Briggs: Briggs adds 11.5 points per game and is a reliable shooter, especially from beyond the arc, where she shoots .390, providing a significant scoring threat.

Team Strengths

• Rebounding, with a margin of 1.1
• Scoring, averaging 70.4 points per game

Team Comparison:

Statistic	Fayetteville State	Livingstone
Record	16-7 (11-3)	9-14 (7-6)
Points Per Game	67.5	70.4
Rebounds Per Game	38.3	41.6
Assists Per Game	14.4	11.7
Turnovers Per Game	16.2	21.1
Steals Per Game	11.0	11.1
Blocks Per Game	3.9	2.2

Key Matchups:

• Talia Trotter (Fayetteville State) vs. Morgan Kelson (Livingstone): Both players are crucial to their team's success and their performance will likely influence the outcome of the game.
• Keayna McLaughlin (Fayetteville State) vs. Thalia Carter (Livingstone): Both players are key contributors to their teams' offenses and will be interesting to watch.

Overall, this game is set to be a competitive and thrilling encounter, with both teams looking to secure a vital win.