Broncos Fall 77-71 to Allen in Home Opener
by Broncos Sports Information Department
Fayetteville, N.C. – Fayetteville State could not close out the final two minutes of tonight's 77-71 loss to Allen University in the Broncos home-opener.
After trailing 45-35 at halftime, Fayetteville State (0-3 overall) closed a 14-point deficit with a fast-break layup by Raymond Pratt with 2:42 left in the game. Pratt, who finished the game with 10 points and 6 rebounds, would later hit a jumper with a minute left to bring the Broncos with one (70-69). Five free throws and a basket would secure the Yellow Jackets second victory of the season.
"Allen [University] came in here and played a great basketball game," said Head Coach
Ken Spencer. "They played harder than we did. They killed us on the boards tonight. Our guys made a valiant effort right there towards the end when we cut it to two."
Allen had a 53-36 advantage over the Broncos in rebounds. The Yellow Jackets had 23 offensive boards and 25 second chance points. FSU did not help its cause with a 19 of 35 performance at the free throw line.
Nakia Rivers led the game with 21 points with 4-of-8 three-pointers. Jacob Crutchfield joined Pratt with 10 points. Will Brown finished with 8 blocks and 5 rebounds.
Leroy Williams led Allen (2-5 overall) with 18 points and 14 rebounds. Vernon Jackson chipped in 13 points.
After a break for Thanksgiving, Fayetteville State will travel to Gannon to play in the 35
th Annual Gary Miller Classic in Erie, Pa.