For the second consecutive year, the Fayetteville State University women’s basketball team reached a significant postseason milestone, securing a conference title over a resilient Virginia State squad.
The Broncos exhibited confidence and togetherness, staying true to their team identity to reclaim the CIAA crown. Keayna McLaughlin and Talia Trotter scored 15 points a piece and combined for 14 rebounds to lead the Broncos to a 64-56 win over Virginia State at CFG Bank Arena on Saturday afternoon, officially culminating the 50th anniversary of the women’s basketball tournament.
Fayetteville State University used an effective defensive strategy to limit their opponent’s strengths. Intently focused on securing defensive stops, the Broncos felt their offensive rhythm would come naturally. And it did.
“Adversity brought us closer, we found ourselves and this isn’t surprising to us,” FSU Coach Tyreece Brown said after the win.
“All the seniors get to go out on top. We shoot for the national championship but this is a great thing with the 50th year, and for them to go back to back… I’m just proud of them first and foremost.”
Senior forward Amesha Miller struggled early on but got going late. She finished the afternoon with a game-high 19 points and 10 boards. Mihjae Hayes chipped in with nine points and five assists.
The Trojans got off to a slow start in the first half but outscored the Broncos, 39-32, in the second half. VSU Coach Nadine Domond said she was pleased with her team’s effort and felt they could have won if they had more time.
“We just ran out of time… if we just would have had five more minutes,” Domond said.
“I’m so proud of my young ladies – of what we’ve done, what we’ve been able to do, as a team. We just couldn’t get it done.”
Both teams shot an identical 21 of 58 from the field. Virginia State had six more turnovers than Fayetteville State, but tallied more rebounds and assists.The most notable statistical difference was FSU’s opportunities at the free throw line.
The Broncos were 14-of-26 shooting from the charity stripe while the Trojans were 12 of 16. Additionally, FSU made eight 3-pointers to VSU’s two.
To culminate a back-and-forth first quarter, Talia Trotter nailed a jumper to give the Broncos an 11-8 lead heading into the second.
The game saw a major momentum shift in the next 10 minutes, as FSU outscored VSU 21-9 to take control of the contest. At the break, the Broncos were ahead 32-17, fueled by Keayna McLauglin’s 11 first-half points.
“It’s an honor to be here. Back to back, a lot of people don’t get to do that,” McLauglin said. “This is the first step to get to the nationals.”
Using a sustainable defense and steady offensive attack, the Broncos maintained a double-digit advantage for most of the third.
Skylar White kissed a floater off the glass to bring the Trojans’ deficit to within single digits as Virginia State appeared to generate some momentum toward the middle of the quarter before FSU responded with three quick buckets to extend its lead to 48-32 as the third drew to a close.
Entering the fourth, Fayetteville State led 51-39, leaving the Trojans with only 10 minutes to make a run at a shot of knocking off the defending champs.
Miller, Virginia State’s primary offensive threat, was her team’s go-to post presence late in the game. With five minutes left in regulation, VSU trailed 56-43.
McLaughlin’s driving layup at the 3:00 mark put the Broncos back on top by 15. On the other end, Miller sank two free throws and Anii Harris finished a short floater to bring VSU’s deficit to 11 with about a minute and a half to go.
Racing against time, Virginia State was forced to foul as the Broncos moved the ball around, bleeding the clock to hold on for the win.
As the national tournament approaches, Fayetteville State awaits the NCAA Selection Show scheduled for March 9, 2025.
