Resilient Fayetteville State Broncos Overcome Slow Start, Advance in CIAA Tournament

BALTIMORE, MD β€” Fayetteville State University's fast-paced offense took some time to get going in their opening game of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Tournament, but the Broncos refused to back down, erasing a nine-point halftime deficit to defeat Bowie State University 86-83 in a thrilling quarterfinal matchup at CFG Bank Arena.

Head coach Devin Hoehn, who joined Fayetteville State after leading Bluefield State to the CIAA title game last season, acknowledged that it wasn't his team's sharpest performance, but praised their resilience in the face of adversity.

"Just about tried to have a heart attack out there," Hoehn said. "We didn't play that well. We did not come out the gates ready to go like we typically do."

Bowie State, already warmed up from playing the day before, came out firing on all cylinders, building a 41-32 halftime lead. The Bulldogs were aggressive in transition and capitalized on Fayetteville State's slow defensive rotations.

But this Broncos team has a reputation for fighting back, and they did not disappoint in this crucial CIAA Tournament matchup.

"One thing about these guys is they are relentless," Hoehn said.



"No matter what we're down, we're never out of it."

The message at halftime was simple: "If we can take care of us, we feel like we should be okay," Hoehn said.

And that's exactly what the Broncos did, exploding for 54 second-half points, shooting 57.1% from the field and dominating the paint with a 44-34 advantage in points inside. Senior guard Terrell Williams led the way with 26 points, while fellow veteran Larry Howell added 18 as Fayetteville State's offensive rhythm returned.

With the win, Fayetteville State advances to the CIAA Tournament semifinals, where they will face the winner of Virginia Union University and Johnson C. Smith University. For a coach like Hoehn, who has already navigated this stage before, and a roster that refuses to back down, the Broncos believe they are built for the moment.

HBCUConnect Perspective: This win exemplifies the perseverance and fighting spirit that is so often associated with HBCU athletics. Fayetteville State's ability to overcome a slow start and rally back to secure a hard-fought victory in the CIAA Tournament is a testament to the character and determination of their student-athletes. As the premier online community for HBCU alumni and supporters, HBCUConnect.com takes great pride in highlighting the success stories of HBCU sports programs like the Fayetteville State Broncos, who continue to make their mark on the national stage.

Originally reported by HBCU Gameday.