BALTIMORE, MD. – Fresh off a 21-6 season and an appearance in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Women's Basketball Championship game, Fayetteville State has been selected to finish second in the 2026-27 CIAA Women's Basketball Predicted Order of Finish. The Broncos also placed two players on the Preseason All-Conference Team, with KaNyah O'Neal and LaNiya Scales earning recognition.

Fayetteville State finished the 2025-26 campaign with a 13-3 record in CIAA play and advanced to the conference championship game before falling to Winston-Salem State. The Broncos earned an at-large berth in the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional, where their season ended with a three-point loss to Seton Hill (Pa.) in the opening round.

Head Coach Tyreece Brown enters his fourth season at Fayetteville State after guiding the Broncos to 71 wins, two CIAA Tournament championships, three consecutive championship appearances, and three consecutive 20-win seasons. His tenure also includes the program's first NCAA Division II Sweet Sixteen appearance.

The Broncos were one of only two programs represented by multiple student-athletes on the 2026-27 CIAA Women's Basketball Preseason All-Conference Team. 

O'Neal earned an automatic spot on the 2026-27 preseason team after receiving All-CIAA honors following the 2025-26 season. Before suffering a season-ending injury against Shaw in February, she averaged 10.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 3.1 steals per game. The veteran playmaker is expected to return to action during the December-January portion of the season and will provide a major boost to the Broncos' lineup.

Scales joins Fayetteville State as a transfer and enters her first season with the Broncos as a preseason all-conference selection. The dynamic guard averaged 11.0 points and 3.7 rebounds per game last season. Her ability to score, defend, and create opportunities on both ends of the floor is expected to make an immediate impact for Fayetteville State.

The Broncos enter the season with high expectations after reaching the conference championship game a year ago and returning with a group capable of competing for both CIAA and regional honors. With experienced leadership, proven postseason success, and a nationally respected program culture, Fayetteville State is positioned to once again contend for a conference title.

2026-27 CIAA Women's Basketball Predicted Order of Finish

1. Winston-Salem State University
2. Fayetteville State University
3. Bowie State University
4. Virginia State University
5. Claflin University
6. Virginia Union University
7. Livingstone College
8. Johnson C. Smith University
9. Bluefield State University
10. Shaw University
11. Elizabeth City State University
12. Lincoln University (Pa.)

2026-27 CIAA Women's Basketball Preseason All-Conference Team

• KaNyah O'Neal, Fayetteville State University*
• Kendahl Spearman, Virginia State University*
• Maia Charles, Winston-Salem State University*
• Nevaeh Farmer, Winston-Salem State University*
• Breonna Roaf, Winston-Salem State University*
• Azahreya Drayton-Gill, Bluefield State University
• Ah'Kiyah Pye, Winston-Salem State University
• Malaka Cobb, Bowie State University
• Nielle Reaves, Livingstone College
• Salote Franklin, Johnson C. Smith University
• La'Niya Sims, Johnson C. Smith University
• LaNiya Scales, Fayetteville State University

Indicates a student-athlete who earned All-CIAA honors during the 2025-26 season.