The 2025 CIAA Tournament men’s and women’s championship games will feature the Virginia State Trojans.
Virginia State has the opportunity to become the first team to sweep the CIAA Tournament since its Virginia Union did so in 2018.
Here is how each team clinched a spot in the CIAA championship game.
Women
Virginia State 63, Bowie State 59
MVP of the Game: Virginia State G Skylar White
The Virginia State Trojans are heading to the CIAA championship game, fighting off a late rally by Bowie State to claim a 63-59 victory.
Skylar White had the hot hand for the Trojans, finishing with 17 points, including hitting 5-of-6 from three-point range.
Anii Haris scored 16 points and two steals against her former team, while Mihjae Hayes contributed 14 points, three rebounds, and three assists.
Bowie State guard Destiny Ryles led all scorers with 29 points (18 in the second half), five rebounds, and two steals.
In the second quarter, Virginia State went on the first significant run of the game, outscoring the Bulldogs 13-3 in a six-minute stretch to take an 11-point lead with 3:46 left in the first half (previously led 18-17 with 9:02 in the second quarter).
Ending the half trailing by six points, Bowie State got itself back in the game in the third quarter, thanks in part to the contributions of Ryles.
She outscored the team 11-9 in the period, and the Bulldogs entered the fourth quarter with a 44-43 lead.
As the fourth quarter began, the Trojans began to strike back, establishing their presence in the paint and drawing fouls on the opposition.
This caused Bowie State’s frustration to boil over on a jump ball, in which Beaula Odiong and Carmen Kweti were called for double technical fouls.
The Bulldogs fought through the emotion, getting a seven-point burst from Ryles in the final two minutes, cutting their deficit to two points with 33 seconds left.
However, it was not enough. On the ensuing possession, Hayes drove to the lane for a layup to send the Trojans to the championship game.
Fayetteville State 61, Virginia Union 50
MVP of the Game: Fayetteville State F Nyah Wilkins
Fayetteville State will return to the CIAA championship game, handling business in the semifinal round with a 61-50 win over Virginia Union.
Fayetteville State guard Talia Trotter fought through a rough shooting performance, leading the team with 13 points.
Nyah Wilkins posted a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds (seven offensive rebounds), while Morgan Graham made an impact on defense with 11 rebounds and two blocks.
Virginia Union Neveah Reaves led all scorers with 16 points, two steals, and two blocks. Rori Cox tallied 12 points, six rebounds, and five steals.
Though Fayetteville State struggled from the field in the first quarter overall, they were efficient from three-point range, connecting on 3-of-4 attempts.
Meanwhile, the Panthers scored just four points in the opening quarter, connecting on just two of 14 shot attempts.
This allowed the Broncos to build a 10-point lead to end the period, which bloomed to a 19-point lead three minutes into the second quarter.
Fayetteville State had its strongest shooting quarter of the game in the second, connecting on 47% of its shots from the field in the period, including makes on its first five shots.
This forced the Panthers to strengthen their defensive effort. They held the Broncos to 4-of-14 shooting for the remainder of the second and eventually trimmed their deficit to 13 at the half.
Continuing to build on their momentum, Virginia Union started the second half hitting four of its first six shots, bringing the game within seven points.
However, that would be the closest the Panthers would get, as they missed their last 12 shot attempts in the third and succumbed to foul trouble in the fourth.
This caused frustration within the Panthers, and their Quarterfinals Game MVP, Tatiana Jones, was ejected after picking up two technical fouls.
Despite shooting 50% from the field in the fourth, the Broncos did just enough down the stretch to win.
Men
Virginia State 66, Lincoln (PA) 57
MVP of the Game: Virginia State G Jacob Cooper
The Virginia State Trojans ended Lincoln’s hopes for repeating as conference champions, sending the Lions away with a 66-57 win.
Jacob Cooper set the tone for the Trojans, notching 17 points, nine rebounds, and two steals. Clint Wright Jr. and Jared White each scored 14 points, with the latter recording two steals.
Bakir Cleveland was the Lions’ leading scorer with 17 points, adding 11 rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Peter Sorber contributed 15 points, six rebounds, and two blocks.
Playing to an 11-11 standstill through the first eight minutes of the first half, the Trojans made a big push to enter the half on top.
They outscored the Lions 16-4 over the next nine minutes to take its largest lead of 12 points and ended the half leading 29-21.
Beginning the second half, it was Lincoln’s turn to go on a run, outscoring Virginia State 12-3 in the first six minutes to take a 33-32 lead.
This lead did not last long as Virginia State immediately brought the ball up and hit a three to take the lead right back.
This proved to be the beginning of the end for the Lions as although they would keep the game close, including tying on multiple occasions, the Trojans hit timely shots to stay out in front and come away with the win.
Bluefield State 71, Fayetteville State 65
MVP of the Game: Bluefield State G Terrell Williams
For the first time in school history, the Bluefield State Big Blue are headed to the CIAA championship game, after dispatching the CIAA South champion Fayetteville State in a 71-65 win.
Shainen Carter was the Big Blue’s leading scorer with 17 points on 54% shooting. Jordan Hinds posted a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds matched by Terrell Williams with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
Myles Pierre came off the bench to lead the Broncos with 17 points, including five three-pointers. Caleb Simmons finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Playing each other to a tie through 12 minutes, Bluefield State made its first big run, scoring 11 unanswered to take a 31-20 lead with
Despite shooting just 22% from the field in the first half and Bluefield State shooting 50%, Fayetteville State ended the half strong, making the game close at halftime.
They outscored Bluefield State 8-1 for the remainder of the half, including a bucket by Tairell Fletcher to cut the Bluefield State lead to four.
After playing Bluefield State close to begin the second half, Fayetteville State regained the lead eight minutes into the second half.
Faced with adversity, the Big Blue made its next big push beginning with 8:20 left in the second half, scoring 12 unanswered to take a 63-52 lead with 4:23 to go.
This run would prove to be the last straw, as Bluefield State overcame increased defensive pressure from the Broncos down the stretch to seal the win.
