ORANGEBURG, SC -- Fayetteville State nearly completed a stunning comeback on Wednesday evening, piecing together multiple game‑changing runs before ultimately falling 51–48 to Claflin in a defensive showdown at Tullis Arena. The loss moves the Broncos to 18–4 overall and 12–3 in CIAA play, while Claflin improves to 14–8 and 10–5.
Despite the final score, the Broncos were the more dominant team for extended stretches, particularly on the glass and in the final 10 minutes. Leading the way offensively was Talia Trotter, who finished with a game‑high 14 points on 6‑for‑14 shooting while adding two assists and four steals. Nyah Wilkins turned in the performance of the night, recording a 12‑point, 13‑rebound double‑double, including four offensive boards, six steals, and three assists. Amina Miles added eight points, eight rebounds, and two steals, helping power Fayetteville State's 43–31 rebounding advantage.
Claflin was led by Ashari Lewis, who scored 17 points on 6‑for‑20 shooting while adding four rebounds, three steals, and a block. Makailah Davis provided 11 points off the bench, knocking down two threes and giving the Panthers critical minutes in the second half. Ariel Lucas contributed nine points, hitting 3‑of‑4 from deep, and Yvette Sandifer scored four points while posting a team‑high six assists. The Panthers finished 8‑for‑21 from long range, with five of those makes coming during a decisive third quarter.
The Broncos faced an uphill climb for much of the night after falling behind early. Trailing 42–27 entering the fourth quarter, Fayetteville State ignited a 13–3 run that stretched from the final play of the third quarter into the opening minutes of the fourth. Wilkins sparked it with a late layup, and Rebecca Kaba opened the fourth with a turnaround jumper. Trotter followed with two assertive drives to the rim—both created by Wilkins—before Zaria Gool finished through contact to build momentum. The run reached its peak when Alivia Evans knocked down a deep three, trimming the deficit and sending the visiting bench into a surge of energy.
During that burst, the Broncos held Claflin without a field goal and forced five turnovers, their pressure and urgency shifting the tone of the game.
Claflin momentarily settled, but the Broncos refused to fade. Down 50–38 with under a minute to go, Fayetteville State unleashed a furious 10–2 sprint to close the night. Wilkins fueled it again, grabbing an offensive rebound, sinking two free throws, and then immediately forcing a turnover that led to a transition layup by Trotter. Moments later, Evans jumped a passing lane, drained a corner three off a kickout from Gool, and Wilkins capped the push with a deep three with three seconds remaining. Over the final 47 seconds, FSU shot 3‑for‑4 from the field and 2‑for‑2 from deep while forcing two turnovers and allowing no field goals.
But despite controlling the fourth quarter and suffocating the Panthers late, the Broncos ran out of time before they could complete the rally.
Defensively, Fayetteville State shined all evening. The Broncos held Claflin to 32 percent shooting, including a combined 6‑for‑20 effort from the Panthers' top scorer, Lewis. FSU forced 21 turnovers, resulting in 24 points off giveaways, and dominated the boards with 15 offensive rebounds, consistently earning extra possessions.
In a game where the Broncos never led, the fourth‑quarter onslaught revealed their grit, depth, and ability to generate momentum in waves—traits that will carry weight heading into the postseason.
Fayetteville State now turns its attention to the regular‑season finale, traveling to Raleigh, N.C., to take on Shaw on Saturday, February 21 at 2 p.m.
