The Fayetteville State women’s basketball team kept its Division II tournament run alive following a 70-62 second-round victory over Fairmont State.
Fayetteville State becomes the first HBCU team to advance to the Sweet 16 of the Division II Women’s Basketball Tournament since Bowie State did so in 2018.
Should they win in the next round they would become the first team to make it to the National Quarterfinal since Virginia Union made it to the National Championship game in 2017.
Aniylah Bryant put together yet another masterful performance 26 points hitting three three-pointers, seven rebounds, and three assists.
Talia Trotter also had a good all-around effort with 10 points, six rebounds, three assists, and three steals.
We ADVANCE to the Atlantic Region Finals with a 70-62 victory over Fairmont State!!
BRONCO PRIDE!!!💙🩶🏀 pic.twitter.com/UznBSd2hW0— Fayetteville State Women's Basketball (@Fsubroncos_wbb) March 17, 2024
After trailing for the majority of the first half, the Broncos turned the game in their favor in the second stanza outscoring Fairmont 41-30.
They shot the ball much more efficiently in the second half shooting 54% compared to 27% by Fairmont State.
Much of the Broncos’ offense grew from their defense in the second half scoring 18 points off 14 Fairmont turnovers.
Fayetteville State will go on to play the Atlantic region’s number-one seed Gannon in the next round. Gannon previously beat West Virginia State in the first round of the tournament.