CHARLOTTE, NC --With a commanding performance, the Fayetteville State men's basketball team, now holding a record of 17-6 overall and 9-3 in the CIAA, secured a 72-55 victory over the Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls, who stand at 10-10 overall and 5-7 in the CIAA, on the road Thursday.
The Broncos were led by Ezekiel Cannedy, who scored 19 points and dished out five assists. Tairell Fletcher also had a standout game with 19 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Javon Floyd contributed with two points, seven rebounds, and two steals. The Broncos' bench played a crucial role, adding 24 points to the team's total.
Fayetteville State dominated the boards, out-rebounding Johnson C. Smith 33-23, with Floyd leading the team with seven rebounds.
The game started with Johnson C. Smith taking an early 14-8 lead. However, Fayetteville State responded with a 6-0 run, tying the game at 14 with 13:11 left in the first half, thanks to a bucket from Jayden Beloti. The Broncos then took control, heading into halftime with a 33-27 lead, bolstered by 10 points from their bench.
In the second half, Fayetteville State continued to extend their lead, going on an 8-0 run to make it 50-30 with 12:11 remaining. Although the Golden Bulls managed to narrow the gap slightly, the Broncos maintained their dominance and finished the game with a 72-55 victory. The bench continued to contribute significantly, adding 14 points in the second half.
For Johnson C. Smith, Ashton Sherrell led the team with 17 points, shooting 6-8 from the field, including 1-1 from three-point range, and 4-4 from the free-throw line. He also recorded four rebounds, one assist, and one steal. Javian Cannady added 13 points, shooting 5-6 from the field and 3-6 from the free-throw line, along with one rebound and two assists.
Overall, Fayetteville State's efficient shooting, strong rebounding, and effective bench play were key factors in their victory over Johnson C. Smith.
Next up, the Broncos will play at home in Capel Arena on Thursday, February 13th against Winston-Salem State at 7:30 PM. Follow the action on fsubroncos.com/gameday.
