EDINBORO, Pa. (March 14, 2025) — No. 2 seed Gannon University defeated Fayetteville State University 60-50 in the NCAA Atlantic Region Quarterfinal on Friday at McComb Fieldhouse on the campus on No. 1 Edinboro University.
"We had a good season," said second year Head Coach Tyreece Brown. "I am proud of our team and our seniors who never gave up till the final buzzer. It was a great journey and a great group of seniors that helped build the foundation of a nationally recognized team. Within the past two years, they got 50 wins, back-to-back [CIAA] titles, two NCAA appearances with two wins in the NCAA [Tournament]. They will always be remembered."
Gannon (26-6) was led by Bri Claxon, who scored 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting, including 3-of-6 from beyond the arc. Kate Ratliff added 12 points and five rebounds, while Jordan Popyk contributed eight points and nine rebounds.
The Golden Knights shot 44.4% (24-54) from the field and was a perfect seven from the charity stripe. Gannon outrebounded the Broncos 49-26 but committed a total of 23 turnovers to FSU's six.
"We did a good defensive job on them. They were 5-of-24. That's a team that lit us up last year with a lot of threes."
Fayetteville State (21-8) struggled offensively, shooting just 25.9% from the field and 5.6% from three-point range. Talia Trotter led the Broncos with 10 points and five rebounds. Nyah Wilkins scored nine points and KaNyah O'Neal contributed eight, while Keayna McLaughlin and Daziyahna Wilson each added seven points.
"Tough shooting. We had our opportunities. Shots that we normally make. I told them to keep shooting, it's going to fall. It was just their night. We just couldn't find our rhythm with shooting tonight."
Gannon took an early lead, finishing the first quarter up 11-6 and by 26-18 at halftime. The Broncos went 1-for-12 (8.3%) in the quarter, only making a three-pointer and 3-of-4 free throws. The struggles continued in the second quarter with 5-of-14 shots made and 2-of-5 free throws.
Fayetteville State returned from intermission to outscore Gannon 15-14 in the third quarter. Trotter went 4-4 at the line and scored under the basket for six points while Wilkins added five points. FSU was 4-of-16 from the field with five missed three-pointers but made 7-of-8 free throws. Trotter cut the deficit to seven 33-40 before the end of the third quarter.
Alivia Evans cut the lead to five (35-40) to open the final stanza with her only points of the game at the free throw line. But the Golden Knights' Claxon would knock down back-to-back shots to push the lead back to double digits.
Trailing by 16 with less than five minutes left in the season, Wilson's seven points helped a 11-4 run that ended at the final buzzer. Despite a strong fourth quarter from the Broncos, Gannon's defense held firm, securing the victory.
The Golden Knights will advance to the semifinals, where they will face No. 3 Seton Hill for the fourth time this season.
