FAYETTEVILLE, NC --Fayetteville State turned Thursday night into a showcase of defensive discipline and offensive balance, overwhelming Virginia Union 59–40 at Capel Arena to improve to 9–2 overall and 3–1 in CIAA play.
The Broncos' defensive identity was unmistakable. They held the Panthers to just 22.4 percent shooting from the field and a frigid 4-for-24 from three-point range, smothering Virginia Union's perimeter threats and forcing 18 turnovers. That pressure allowed Fayetteville State to control the pace, the paint, and ultimately the scoreboard.
KaNyah O'Neal once again led the Broncos with a dynamic all-around performance, finishing with 15 points, seven assists, five steals and four rebounds. Talia Trotter added 12 points and eight boards while facilitating the offense with four assists. Taleah Stephens contributed eight points, including a key basket during the game's turning point.
Virginia Union, now 7–4 and 2–3 in the CIAA, leaned heavily on Bruni Martinez, who battled her way to 13 points, seven rebounds and five steals. De'aisjah Somerville added eight points and seven boards, though Fayetteville State's defense held her to 2-for-15 shooting and just one made three. Off the bench, Serenity Johnson provided seven points and gave the Panthers a brief spark in the third quarter.
The Panthers opened strong, taking a 15–11 lead after the first quarter and stretching the margin to 20–13 early in the second. But that's when Fayetteville State seized control of the game.
The Broncos erupted for a 14–0 run, sparked by Stephens and fueled by relentless defensive pressure. They dominated the paint during the surge, scoring 16 of their 20 second-quarter points around the rim and heading into halftime with a 31–24 advantage.
From that moment on, the Broncos never trailed.
They pushed the lead to double digits midway through the third quarter, and although Virginia Union trimmed the margin to nine entering the fourth, the Panthers' offense stalled completely.
Fayetteville State's bench added six key points in the third, helping maintain the cushion.
In the final period, the Broncos closed the door with a 9–0 run that stretched the lead to 57–40 with under 30 seconds remaining. Transition play sealed the outcome, as Fayetteville State outscored the Panthers 18–4 on the break.
Fayetteville State's win was built on the same pillars that have carried them all season: defensive toughness, rebounding, and unselfish offense. The Broncos won the rebounding battle 46–41, assisted on 15 of their 23 made field goals, and held Virginia Union to just one made shot in the fourth quarter.
With conference play heating up, the Broncos look increasingly like a team capable of making a run in the CIAA.
Fayetteville State returns to Capel Arena on Saturday, January 8, continuing CIAA play against Bowie State with a 1:00 PM tipoff. The game will air live on HBCU Go TV.
