RALEIGH, NC —The Fayetteville State women’s basketball team took control after a 49-49 tie to end the third quarter and knocked off the Saint Augustine’s Falcons 64-57 on the road Saturday.
Aniylah Bryant led the Broncos (23-2, 16-1) with 24 points, eight rebounds and three steals. Keayna McLaughlin also added nine points and four assists and Amina Mileschipped in as well with seven points and seven rebounds.
The Fayetteville State offense was very productive from deep, making nine threes on 16 attempts. Bryant was the most prolific shooter for the Broncos, draining five treys in the contest.
The Fayetteville State defense held Saint Augustine’s shooters to just 32.8 percent from the field, including 29.4 percent from three-point range.
How It Happened
After falling behind 8-0, Fayetteville State went on an 8-0 run with 6:55 left in the first quarter, culminating in a three from Nyah Wilkins, to tie the game at eight. Saint Augustine’s then pulled ahead, sending the Broncos into the second quarter down 15-10.
Saint Augustine’s kept adding to that lead, building a 22-13 advantage before Fayetteville State went on a 6-0 run, highlighted by a bucket from Miles, to narrow its deficit to 22-19. The Broncos then kept gaining ground and tied the contest at 32-32 heading into halftime. Fayetteville State was strong from deep in the period, knocking down three three-point shots to account for nine of its 22 points.
After intermission, Saint Augustine’s snatched a 43-36 lead before Fayetteville State answered back by going on a 5-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Ashara Hayes, to trim its deficit to 43-41 with 4:16 to go in the third. The Broncos continued their rally and brought things level at 49-49 entering the fourth quarter. Fayetteville State scored four fast break points in the quarter.
Fayetteville State started the fourth with a bang, going on a 7-0 run, finished off by Miles’ jumper, to seize a 56-49 lead with 7:12 to go in the contest. The Broncos held onto that lead for the rest of the game for the 64-57 win. Fayetteville State fired away from deep in the quarter, knocking down two shots to account for six of its 15 points.
This win gives the Broncos the best regular season record of 24-2 in program history. FSU was 25-2 in 1976 when the women were CIAA Runner-ups.
Game Notes
» The Broncos outscored Saint Augustine’s 8-15 in the fourth quarter to break a 49-49 third quarter tie.
» The Broncos made over half of their attempts from three point range, knocking down nine of 16 shots.
» The Broncos held the Falcons to only 32.8 percent shooting from the field.
» The Broncos were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, recording five blocks as a team.
» Aniylah Bryant led the Broncos with a game-high 24 points.
» Fayetteville State got a team-high eight rebounds from Aniylah Bryant.
The women end the season as the Southern Division champions so they will play Wednesday, February 28th at the CIAA tournament.