BALTIMORE, MD --BALTIMORE, MD — Fayetteville State showed the grit and resilience that defined its season, but a slow first half proved too much to overcome as the Broncos fell 60–43 to Winston‑Salem State in the 2026 CIAA Women's Basketball Championship on Saturday afternoon at CFG Bank Arena. Despite the setback, FSU (21–5 overall) enters the national postseason conversation ranked No. 5 in the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region and will now await the results of Selection Sunday to learn its NCAA Tournament fate.
The Broncos were powered by senior standout Talia Trotter, who capped off an exceptional tournament with 14 points, nine rebounds and two steals in the championship game. Trotter's performance earned her a place on the 2026 CIAA All‑Tournament Team, one of two Broncos recognized, alongside junior guard Nevaeh Colon. Freshman guard Samiyah Barker supplied an important lift off the bench with 12 points, while forward Kelis Carmon added five points during a strong bench showing.
Fayetteville State once again leaned on its defensive toughness—a trademark of the program under head coach Tyreece Brown. The Broncos held Winston‑Salem State to 37.3 percent shooting, and limited CIAA Tournament MVP Makayla Waleed to 5‑for‑20 from the floor. FSU also dominated the boards with a 43–33 rebounding advantage, including 12 rebounds from Nyah Wilkins and 14 offensive rebounds as a team.
But despite the effort on the glass and the defensive discipline, the Broncos were plagued by cold shooting, finishing at 26.4 percent from the field, and struggled to overcome a 19‑point halftime deficit against a WSSU team searching for the program's first CIAA title.
Winston‑Salem State opened the afternoon with early energy, jumping ahead 10–4, but Fayetteville State responded with a spark. A late first‑quarter push, highlighted by a corner three from Nevaeh Colon, pulled the Broncos within 10–9 with 2:11 left. The Rams countered with seven straight points to take a 17–9 lead into the second quarter.
The second period proved to be the turning point. FSU's offense struggled to string together baskets, and WSSU capitalized from long range—building a 37–18 halftime lead behind five threes and a flurry of transition opportunities.
After regrouping at the break, the Broncos stormed out of halftime with their best run of the day. Barker and Trotter helped engineer a 6–0 burst to cut the margin to 37–24, and Fayetteville State forced seven third‑quarter turnovers to slow the Rams' pace. Though the Broncos clawed back to within 45–32 entering the fourth, every defensive stop required major effort, and each offensive window felt narrow.
In the fourth quarter, WSSU found just enough scoring to fend off another rally attempt. Trotter's driving layup with 7:18 remaining cut the deficit to 14, but the Rams quickly answered with midrange shots from Waleed and Alana Biosse to restore control. FSU earned meaningful bench production in the final period—with Barker and Carmon pushing the tempo—but could not generate the run needed to threaten the Rams' lead.
Despite a strong defensive finish and multiple offensive‑rebound opportunities late, the Broncos' shots continued to miss the mark as Winston‑Salem State secured the victory and the 2026 CIAA crown.
Both No. 3 Winston-Salem State and No. 5 Fayetteville State now turn their attention to the national postseason, awaiting their NCAA Tournament fate on Selection Sunday, March 8. Fans can visit NCAA.com for the broadcast time and updates as both CIAA powers look to secure spots in the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region bracket.
