BLUFFTON, SC -- The Fayetteville State Broncos earned a hard-fought 114-112 road victory over USC Beaufort on Monday in a game that showcased offensive fireworks and clutch performances on both sides.
Fayetteville State (11-6) leaned on its dynamic trio of Ezekiel Cannedy, Larry Howell, and Romeo Aquino to secure the win. Cannedy led all scorers with 26 points and two steals, Howell added 24 points, six rebounds, two steals, and two blocks, while Aquino delivered a dominant double-double with 23 points and 12 rebounds. The Broncos had five players finish in double figures and received 36 points from their bench, a key factor in the high-scoring contest.
USC Beaufort (13-4) entered the matchup riding a four-game winning streak and proved why they are one of the Peach Belt Conference's top teams. Dominic Eason paced the Sand Sharks with 22 points and five rebounds, while Evan Kilminster chipped in 20 points and six assists. Qurahn Anderson added 18 points on efficient shooting, and Dylan Lewis contributed 14 points and eight rebounds to keep USC Beaufort in striking distance until the final buzzer.
The game was a back-and-forth battle from start to finish. Fayetteville State jumped out to a 33-29 lead before an 8-0 run capped by a Cannedy three-pointer stretched the margin to 41-29. The Broncos entered halftime ahead 53-44, thanks to strong bench play. USC Beaufort clawed back in the second half, eventually taking a 96-92 lead, but Fayetteville State responded with a 6-0 run to reclaim the advantage at 98-96 with 6:18 remaining. From there, the Broncos held firm, sealing the two-point win in a thrilling finish.
Fayetteville State dominated the paint, scoring 34 of its 61 second-half points inside, and shot 46 percent from three-point range (7-of-15). Defensively, the Broncos recorded five blocks, led by Kenneth Brayboy with two. USC Beaufort countered with sharp perimeter shooting and aggressive rebounding but fell just short in the final moments.
The Broncos will look to keep their momentum rolling when they travel to Livingstone on Wednesday, January 21 at 7:30 pm.
