WEST LIBERTY, WV (AP) — The Fayetteville State men's basketball team saw its historic season come to an end with an 89-69 loss to the No. 1 West Liberty Hilltoppers in the NCAA Atlantic Region Semifinals on Sunday. This marked the first time in program history that the Broncos advanced to the semifinals.
 
"A tough game for us, we did try our hardest," said Head Coach Luke D'Alessio. "Our players are exhausted. This unique style of play, we are really not used to playing like that."
 
The Broncos (23-9) were led by Tairell Fletcher, who scored 15 points. Mysta Goodloe added 12 points and two steals off the bench, while Isaiah Ray contributed 10 points and three steals.
 
Fayetteville State struggled early, trailing 39-29 at halftime.
 
"We talked about it [first half] in the first five minutes of halftime. Try to get down to five or six [points]. We just couldn't make shots, and they came out making shots."
 
West Liberty extended its lead in the second half, building a 73-48 advantage. The Broncos made a brief 6-0 run, capped by a three-pointer from Marcus Elliott, to cut the deficit to 73-54 with 8:37 remaining. However, the Hilltoppers responded and outscored Fayetteville State the rest of the way.
 
The Broncos' bench played a significant role, contributing 30 points. Caleb Simmons led the team with five rebounds.
 
"They are well coached and talented," said All-Region honoree Caleb Simmons. "The guys are really good in the CI [CIAA], but sometimes it felt like there were six guys on the court. It sucks that we lost and its obviously not how we wanted the season to go."

Fayetteville State had an impressive season, finishing with a 23-9 overall record and a 12-4 mark in the CIAA. The Broncos earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Division II Post-Season Tournament as the No. 4 seed in the Atlantic Region.

"I like the way we competed," said senior guard Marcus Elliott, who finished the game with 8 points, 3 assists, and a steal. "We competed this whole season. We made history; scored the most points in school history; we almost beat a win's record; and first win in the tournament.

I've been here three years and it's exciting. Every year we've had a better team, and it keeps getting better and better. I wish we could have won the CIAA Championship, but we still did a lot this season."

Under the leadership of CIAA Coach of the Year Luke D'Alessio, the team faced a tough schedule and performed admirably, including a notable win in the first round of the NCAA tournament against Fairmont State.

"Looking back," added Simmons. "I transferred in from Shaw University and Coach Luke changed my whole college career into winning. I didn't understand the magnitude of what we did last night [winning the first round] until Coach Luke told us no one else has ever done this; and to get an at-large bid. We are playing the best of the best."