BALTIMORE, MD — Fayetteville State punched its ticket to the CIAA Women's Basketball Championship game with a 62-53 victory over Virginia Union at CFG Bank Arena. FSU will tip off against Virginia State on Saturday at 1 pm. 

The Broncos (20-7) held Virginia Union to a frigid 6.7% (1-for-15) from three-point range, a key factor in the victory. Fayetteville State capitalized on 23 Virginia Union turnovers, converting them into 21 points.

Talia Trotter led the Broncos with 13 points and two steals, while Nyah Wilkins, the Food Lion MVP of the Game, delivered a crucial double-double off the bench, scoring 11 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Morgan Graham contributed six points, 11 rebounds, and two blocks.

Fayetteville State's aggressive offensive rebounding proved decisive, securing 17 offensive boards and turning them into nine second-chance points. Wilkins led the charge with seven offensive rebounds.

The Broncos jumped out to an early lead, going on an 11-0 run in the first quarter, capped by a three-pointer from Alivia Evans, to take a 14-4 advantage. They maintained control throughout the game. A 6-0 run early in the second quarter, punctuated by a Nyah Wilkins layup, extended the lead to 20-4. The Broncos went into halftime with a 35-22 lead, dominating the paint with 12 of their 21 points coming inside.

Fayetteville State held a 43-32 advantage heading into the fourth quarter and never relinquished the lead. A 6-0 run midway through the fourth, highlighted by a layup, pushed the lead to 52-37. The Broncos capitalized on six Virginia Union turnovers in the final period, scoring six points off those miscues.

The Broncos' bench provided a significant boost, scoring 27 points. Fayetteville State also controlled the glass, grabbing 44 total rebounds.

Virginia Union (21-7) struggled offensively, shooting only 31.7% from the field. Rori Cox led the Panthers with 12 points and 16 rebounds.