Baltimore, MD (March 1, 2024) - Day 5 CIAA Tournament Recaps

Women: ECSU 70,  Claflin 58

After playing a tightly contested first half in the fourth quarter Elizabeth City State hit all their foul shots to secure a spot in the championship gameECSU scored six points to retake a double-digit advantage 43-31 with 6:14 left in the third quarter. The teams would continue to go back and forth with Claflin only being down by nine points 53-44. Neither team could seem to buy a bucket in the final stanza with both teams only converting some foul shots with 6:30 remaining, ECSU 57 Claflin 46.  A layup by the Panthers at 5:05 was the first field goal by either team but they still trailed, 59-48. That started a six nothing run to curb their deficit to 59-52, but they would never get closer than seven points as ECSU would win 70-58 with some key free throws.

NyAsia Blango scored a game high 18 points and added 5 rebounds. The Vikings will play the winner of the Virginia State and Fayetteville State game tomorrow in the Championship at 1 pm on ESPNU.

Men: Lincoln 58, Claflin 52

Top-seeded Lincoln (PA) took on #2 Claflin in game one of the 2024 CIAA Food Lion Tournament Friday afternoon. The Lions roared out of the gate, jumping to an 11-point lead halfway through the first half. They continued to execute on both sides of the ball, claiming  a 35-23 lead heading into halftime. The Panthers had a much stronger second-half showing cutting the deficit entirely, as they'd go on to know the game at 52 a piece with just 2:36 remaining in regulation. Lincoln (PA) regained their composure and would hold Claflin scoreless for the rest of the game, ultimately coming out on top, 58-52.

The loss ends the 2023-24 campaign for Claflin while Lincoln (PA) heads to the tournament championship. They will take on the winner of the other semifinal between #1 Fayetteville State and #2 Virginia Union. The championship game will take place on Saturday, March 2^nd at 4:00 P.M.

Reggie Hudson was the lead man for the Lions in the victory, as he shot an efficient 60% from the field for 14 points and nearly missed a double-double with eight rebounds. He also displayed a strong defensive presence, snagging five steal in the game as well. For the Panthers, John Whitehead netted 15 points and eclipsed a double-double, bringing 10 rebounds in the process.  

Women: FSU 86, VSU 61

The Broncos began the game a perfect 5-5 shooting on the building an early 14-8 lead. That would be as close as the Trojans would get for the remainder of the game as FSU took leads of 23-15 and 37-26 into the quarter break and halftime.

Fayetteville State continued to open its lead after halftime outscoring Virgnia State 24-19. The Trojans would show a spark of life cutting the Broncos lead to 12 before FSU regained control with multiple baskets from the 2024 CIAA Player of the Year Aniylah Bryant who led all scorers with 31 points to send FSU to the championship game and an 86-61 victory.

Fayetteville State will now face defending champion Elizabeth City State University in the CIAA Tournament championship game Saturday, March 2. Tipoff is slated for 1 PM inside CFG Bank Arena.

Men: FSU 53, VUU 51

Top-seeded Fayetteville State faced off with #2 Virginia Union to compete for the second and final spot in the 2024 Food Lion CIAA Tournament. The energy was high as both schools sported a huge supporting crowd; however the defensive play was the story of the first half. The highly energetic play of both teams' defenses led to a very low scoring first half, with the Broncos holding a 25-18 lead heading into the break. The tide turned in a big way for the Panthers, as they commenced the second half with an 18-6 run, claiming a 36-31 lead and forcing a called timeout by Fayetteville State. The Broncos regained their composure and the lead, and would fight bucket for bucket 'til the end of the game. Ultimately, Fayetteville State would hold on and claim a 53-51 victory.

The loss ends the 2023-24 campaign for Virginia Union, while Fayetteville State advances to the tournament championship. The Broncos will take on Lincoln (PA) on Saturday, March 2^nd at 4:00 P.M.

Fayetteville State's Caleb Simmons' efficient night on both ends of the court earned him MVP of the game honors. He poured in game-high 20 points while falling just short of a double-double with nine rebounds. For the Panthers, Tahj Harding led the charge, as he dropped team-high 17 points including three makes from behind the arc.