FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Fayetteville State needed no reminder of what was at stake when No. 18 Winston-Salem State walked into Capel Arena on Tuesday night. With the national rankings released earlier in the day by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), the Rams arrived carrying a top‑20 designation—and an opportunity for the Broncos to make a statement.
What FSU delivered was more than a statement. It was a full defensive showcase.
The Broncos held the newly ranked Rams to just 20 percent from behind the arc and 24.3 percent shooting overall, riding a complete team effort to a 72–57 victory in front of 3,587 fans. Fayetteville State improved to 14–2 overall and 8–1 in the CIAA, while Winston-Salem State dropped to 16–2 and 7–1 in conference play.
FSU guard Talia Trotter was the centerpiece of that performance, powering her team with a double-double—17 points, 11 rebounds—and stuffing the stat sheet with eight assists, two blocks, and two steals. She led four Broncos who scored in double figures and anchored a relentless defense that disrupted the Rams all night long.
The Broncos needed every bit of that defensive purpose against a WSSU squad that entered as one of the hottest teams in Division II. But after the Rams opened with a 3–0 lead, Fayetteville State settled in defensively, forcing WSSU into a 3-for-18 first quarter and taking its first lead on a Trotter bucket with 8:28 left. Winston-Salem State managed to close the quarter in front, 9–7, but nothing came easy.
The second quarter belonged to the Broncos. Trailing 16–15 midway through the period, FSU responded with a 7–0 run highlighted by a KaNyah O'Neal three-pointer. The surge helped push Fayetteville State ahead 29–25 at halftime, with the Broncos capitalizing on four Rams turnovers and converting them into seven points.
After the break, the Broncos began to separate.
Amina Miles delivered one of the biggest lifts of the night, coming off the bench to score 16 points with eight rebounds and two blocks on an efficient 7-of-10 shooting. Her energy anchored a third quarter that saw FSU shoot 61.5 percent and outscore the Rams 26–20, extending the lead to 55–45 heading into the final period. Thirteen of the Broncos' 26 third-quarter points came from the bench.
FSU didn't let up. The Broncos opened the fourth quarter by maintaining control, then used a decisive 7–0 run—capped by a Miles layup—to push the margin to 62–50 with just over four minutes remaining. Winston-Salem State never threatened again, and Fayetteville State closed out one of its most complete wins of the season.
Defensively, the Broncos shined across the board. They forced 18 turnovers, recorded 10 blocks, and collected 13 offensive rebounds that led to key second‑chance opportunities. They also dominated the paint, scoring 40 inside compared to WSSU's 20.
O'Neal finished with 12 points and a game‑high four steals, while freshman guard Alivia Evans added 10 points, including two first-half threes that helped stabilize the offense. Kelis Carmon contributed eight points and six rebounds, and Nyah Wilkins added three assists and four steals off the bench.
For Winston-Salem State, Makayla Waleed led all scorers with 19 points and 12 rebounds, while Nevaeh Farmer added 14. But the Rams' offensive struggles—punctuated by a 5-for-25 night from three—proved too much to overcome.
Despite the loss, the meeting between the top two teams in the CIAA delivered the intensity expected from one of the league's premier rivalries, with seven ties and three lead changes before the Broncos took control.
With the win, Fayetteville State moves ahead of Winston-Salem State in the CIAA Southern Division standings and strengthens its case as one of the region's top teams.
The Broncos return to action on Thursday, January 29, when they host Claflin University at 6 p.m. inside Capel Arena.
