FAYETTEVILLE, NC --Fayetteville State delivered one of its most resilient performances of the season Monday night, storming back from a double‑digit halftime deficit to defeat Shaw 89–83 inside Capel Arena. The win lifted the Broncos to 16–6 overall and 10–2 in the CIAA, while the Bears fell to 14–8, 6–7 CIAA in a high‑energy game that swung decisively toward the home team after the break.
What began as a frustrating first 20 minutes for FSU—marked by cold shooting and Shaw's downhill attacks—transformed into a second‑half surge fueled by defensive pressure, offensive rebounding, and timely shot‑making. Six Broncos finished in double figures, led by Ezekiel Cannedy's 23 points, as the junior guard ignited the comeback with a blistering stretch from beyond the arc. Just before the midway point of the second half, Cannedy buried back‑to‑back three‑pointers to slice the deficit to three, sending Capel Arena into a frenzy and shifting momentum squarely toward the Broncos. Moments later, Larry Howell hammered home a dunk to give Fayetteville State a 65–64 advantage—a lead the Broncos would protect the rest of the way.
Howell was a force in the lane with 16 points and nine rebounds, while Darius Boben matched his physicality on the glass, also pulling down nine boards and spearheading the defensive push with five steals. Romeo Aquino, Travon Cooper II, and Kenneth Brayboy added 10, 10, and 12 points, respectively, as FSU's depth and balance steadily wore down the Bears.
The turnaround started with grit on the glass and pressure in the passing lanes. Fayetteville State crashed the offensive boards for 17 second‑chance rebounds, converting them into 14 points, and forced 18 Shaw turnovers, cashing those into 23 points that repeatedly fueled runs. The first half belonged to Shaw, who used free throws and strong starts to build a 48–34 halftime lead. But the Broncos emerged from the locker room with poise and purpose, methodically cutting into the margin before Cannedy's double‑dagger from deep narrowed it to a single possession and Howell's emphatic finish flipped the scoreboard for good.
Shaw was led by Avery Huggins, who scored 25 points off the bench, with Shamon Jackson adding 13 and Alijah England contributing 12 to go with nine rebounds. As the pressure mounted, however, the Bears' rhythm waned against FSU's ball pressure and relentless rebounding.
By the final horn, Fayetteville State had outscored Shaw 55–35 in the second half, showcasing the toughness, depth, and composure of a contender. Cannedy's clutch shooting ignited the rally, Howell's power play sealed the lead, and the Broncos' collective effort—defense first, glass second, ball movement always—did the rest.
Fayetteville State now turns its attention to another pivotal home date on Thursday as the Broncos continue their push atop the CIAA Southern Division standings.
