FAIRMONT, W.Va. – Fayetteville State women’s basketball has made program history as the first Broncos squad to reach the NCAA Division II Tournament’s Sweet 16.
A 70-62 win over Atlantic Region host No. 2-seeded Fairmont State on its home court in Joe Retton Arena on Saturday sends Fayetteville State into Tuesday’s region final at top-seeded Gannon in Erie, Pennsylvania (time TBA).
That game marks FSU’s deepest NCAA run of all time, with the 2023-24 Broncos blazing into new territory for a program with six NCAA Tournament appearances (a would-be seventh canceled due to COVID-19) and five CIAA Tournament championships – two of those coming over the last four seasons.
What makes this season’s squad so special?
“They hate to lose,” coach Tyreece Brown says. “They’re competitors.”
ROUND 1 WIN: Best team in FSU history? Fayetteville State women roll into Round 2 of NCAA Tournament
MAKING HISTORY: Fayetteville State women’s basketball’s historic season rolls into NCAA Tournament
CIAA CHAMPIONS: Fayetteville State women’s basketball wins 5th CIAA championship in program history
The No. 3-seeded Broncos have brought the same relentless, attacking style of play that led them to a second straight CIAA Southern Division title and the winningest season in the history of FSU women’s basketball at 29-2; attacking defenses and forcing turnovers at a pace not often seen on the national stage. It’s made the difference in back-to-back tournament road wins at the end of a 15-game streak.
On Saturday, the Broncos held the Falcons to 26.6% shooting – and that number dipped below 20% in the third quarter as FSU mounted a comeback.
Starting the fourth quarter tied at 44, a Keayna McLaughlin 3-pointer gave the Broncos a lead they would hold onto, pushing it as high as 16 before the final buzzer.
Aniylah Bryant continued to represent the CIAA well as its player of the year with 26 points on 8-of-15 shooting (53%) and seven rebounds. Talia Trotter had 10 points, six rebounds and three steals for FSU, with McLaughlin adding eight points, seven rebounds and four steals. The CIAA Defensive Player of the Year Morgan Graham grabbed nine rebounds to go with six points, and Jack Britt alum Ashara Hayes put in a timely seven points.
Early execution
Fairmont State led by nine after the first quarter thanks to a disciplined defense that drew four charges in the frame and threw a figurative wrench into the Broncos’ fluid offense. All of the Hawks’ 20 first-quarter points came from beyond the arc and the free-throw line.
They continued hitting from 3-point range, finishing the half with six 3-pointers on 40% shooting from outside. Fairmont State (27-6) led by as many as 10 points in the second quarter but by the end of it, Fayetteville State had clawed its way within three at 32-29.
Defense
Disruptive defense is part of the Broncos’ DNA: They rank third nationally in defensive field-goal percentage, allowing an average of only 34.4% shooting.
“That’s what we pride ourselves on, creating chaos on the defensive end,” Brown said in the postgame presser.
The Falcons’ 0-for-8 shooting from 3-point range in the third quarter opened the door for Fayetteville State’s rally.
The Broncos also forced five turnovers in the fourth quarter, resulting in eight points.
Pulling away
After taking the lead for good in the fourth, the Broncos showcased several ways they can attack on offense; with Trotter sinking driving floaters, Bryant showing her range from deep, and FSU’s bench contributing down the stretch.
“This whole journey, we’ve stayed true to ourselves and we’re just going to keep digging,” Bryant said.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Fayetteville State women’s basketball in 2024 NCAA Sweet 16
