FAYETTEVILLE, NC --Fayetteville State men's basketball used a powerful offensive performance and three 20-point scorers to fend off a dramatic second‑half push from Livingstone, earning a 96–92 victory inside Capel Arena. The win lifts the Broncos to 17-6 overall and 11-2 in CIAA play, while the Blue Bears dropped to 8-15 and 5-9 in the league.
The Broncos' backcourt trio of Ezekiel Cannedy, Darius Boben and Larry Howell set the tone all night. Cannedy led the effort with 21 points to go along with six rebounds, four assists and two steals, controlling the pace and hitting big shots late. Boben posted a double‑double, finishing with 20 points, ten rebounds and three steals as one of the most consistent forces on the floor. Howell dominated at the free‑throw line, going a perfect 10-for-10 on his way to 20 points, helping Fayetteville State respond each time Livingstone cut into the lead.
Fayetteville State stormed out of the gate and owned the first half, building a 33-22 lead before unleashing a 9-0 run that pushed the margin to 42-22. Behind physical play in the paint, where they scored 24 first‑half points, the Broncos went into halftime with a commanding 44-22 advantage. The strong interior play opened up the perimeter, and FSU finished the night 8-of-20 from three-point range.
The Broncos extended their lead to 55-30 early in the second half when Romeo Aquino drilled a three from the right wing. But Livingstone refused to back down, erupting for 70 second‑half points and leaning heavily on its bench, which contributed 54 points. Jemez Herd (17 points) and Jacob Hunkins (15 points) sparked the rally as the Blue Bears shot over 61 percent in the period.
Despite the surge, Fayetteville State never surrendered the lead. The Broncos responded with timely scoring and composure at the free‑throw line, where they finished 30-of-36. Cannedy, Boben and Howell each came through with critical baskets, while Travon Cooper II added an efficient 18 points and four rebounds to keep the offense balanced. Aquino contributed 12 points and eight rebounds in one of his strongest outings of the season.
The Broncos' defense generated 17 turnovers, leading to 14 points the other way—an important cushion as Livingstone's offense caught fire late. FSU also held a 12-11 edge in second‑chance points and grabbed 11 offensive rebounds, keeping possessions alive during key stretches of the game.
Livingstone's furious final push brought the game within striking distance, but the Broncos' early dominance and late execution ensured the victory stayed in Fayetteville. FSU extended its stronghold near the top of the CIAA standings with just over a week remaining in the regular season.
Fayetteville State will now turn its attention to the weekend as the Broncos return to Capel Arena for Senior Day on Saturday, February 14 at 4:00 PM, looking to continue their push toward tournament play with momentum fully intact.
