FAYETTEVILLE, NC --On a celebratory Senior Day at Capel Arena, where Fayetteville State honored its senior student‑athletes pregame, the Broncos fed off the energy of the home crowd and a dominant second‑half surge to defeat Johnson C. Smith 73–61 in CIAA play Saturday afternoon. The win moves FSU to 18–3 overall and 12–2 in the conference, while the Golden Bulls fall to 7–15 and 4–11 in league action.

The Broncos placed three players in double figures, led by Nyah Wilkins' efficient 17 points on 4-of-8 shooting and a perfect 9-for-9 effort at the free‑throw line. Talia Trotter delivered another all‑around performance with 16 points, five rebounds, and five steals, while freshman sparkplug Nevaeh Colon came off the bench to add 15 points and three rebounds, including a momentum‑shifting trio of three‑pointers in the third quarter.

Fayetteville State needed every bit of that energy after a sluggish start left them trailing 15–10 after the opening period. Johnson C. Smith controlled the early pace behind the inside pairing of La'Niya Simes and Salote Franklin, who combined for 36 points and 24 rebounds on the afternoon. The Golden Bulls led by as many as nine in the second quarter, but Colon and Trotter ignited a 7–0 Broncos run that helped trim the halftime deficit to 30–26.

Everything changed after the break.

Fayetteville State opened the third quarter with renewed aggressiveness, quickly slicing the deficit to 33–31 before exploding on an 8–0 run capped by a deep three from Colon that electrified the 1,865 fans in Capel Arena. The Broncos drained five threes in the period and outscored Johnson C. Smith 26–15 to take control, heading into the fourth with a 52–45 cushion.

From there, the Broncos slammed the door. The defense tightened, forcing four more Golden Bulls turnovers that turned into nine Fayetteville State points. Another 8–0 burst in the final two minutes sealed the game, with Wilkins and Trotter both cashing in at the free‑throw line to extend the lead to its final margin.

Fayetteville State's bench proved to be the difference, outscoring Johnson C. Smith 28–17 and providing crucial production during the second‑half surge. The Broncos also controlled key statistical battles, converting 22 turnovers into 22 points and collecting 12 offensive rebounds that led to 11 second‑chance points. Defensively, the Broncos held Johnson C. Smith to 40 percent shooting and recorded six blocks as a team.

Franklin paced the Golden Bulls with 17 points and 18 rebounds, while Simes added 19 points and six boards. Egypt Coleman provided 15 points off the bench.

With the win, Fayetteville State strengthens its positioning near the top of the CIAA standings as the regular season enters its final stretch. The Broncos' depth, defensive pressure, and trademark second‑half toughness once again proved decisive—elements that continue to shape them into a contender as March approaches.

The Broncos will travel to Orangeburg, SC , on Wednesday, February 18 at 5:30 PM, to take on Claflin during this last week of the regular season.