The CIAA Championship Game is set and its a matchup that very few people saw coming, even as late as 48 hours ago. A pair of four seeds, Bowie State and Fayetteville State, will square off in Spectrum Arena at 7 pm.
Bowie State punched their ticket to Championship Saturday first, knocking off Livingstone 71-69 in their semifinal matchup. Michael Briscoe went off for 24 points and came up with six steals as BSU made its way to the title game for the first time since 2013. Livingstone will not play in the tournament’s final game for the first time since 2012.
The upset of the night, though, knocking off defending champion Virginia State 70-61 to advance to the title game for the first time since 2008. Senior guard Josh Dawson led the way, scoring 28 points while freshman had 15 points on 5-for-9 shooting.
Both teams will be playing their fourth games in three nights. Bowie had to survive an overtime game against Johnson C. Smith before beating Livingstone. Fayetteville State held off St. Augustine’s on Wednesday night before knocking off Shaw, the no. 1 seed in the CIAA’s Southern Division.
So proud of Coach Ken Spencer and Broncos. It is about time the world knows what we at UNCP have been hollering for years How great coach you are but you are an even better God fearing husband, father, mentor, and lastly but thankfully friend!!!! Good Luck Coach!!!!