Charlotte, NC (November 18, 2025) – Week One of CIAA Basketball opened with competitive performances across women’s and men’s programs as teams began the 2025-26 season. Several teams collected early wins, while others used the opening slate to establish rotations, test lineups, and build rhythm. Strong individual efforts highlighted the first full week of play, and the CIAA recognizes six student-athletes for their standout contributions.
WOMEN’S WEEKLY RESULTS SUMMARY (Nov. 9–15)
CIAA women’s programs opened the 2025-26 season with several strong outings, including a 100-point performance from Bluefield State, a defensive win for Fayetteville State, and a home-opening victory for Johnson C. Smith. Other programs opened the season on the road with competitive early matchups as teams began establishing rotations and rhythm during the first full week of play.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL HONOREES
Player of the Week
Walker Alaila, Lincoln (PA)
Walker averaged 26.0 points per game to open the season, establishing herself as Lincoln’s most reliable offensive weapon throughout Week One. She delivered a pair of high-volume, high-efficiency scoring performances, highlighted by a 29-point outing with six made threes against Shippensburg. Whether off the dribble or catching and shooting in rhythm, Alaila consistently generated offense for a Lions group searching for early-season momentum. She also averaged five rebounds per game while providing timely shot-making that kept Lincoln competitive in both contests.
Game-by-Game Highlights:
- at Millersville (11/14/25) – L 75-66: 23 points, 5 rebounds, 4 made threes, 5-for-5 at the line
- at Shippensburg (11/15/25) – L 59-55: 29 points, 6 made threes, 3 rebounds
Defensive Player of the Week
KaNyah O’Neal, Fayetteville State
O’Neal was a defensive catalyst for Fayetteville State during its undefeated showing at the CIAA-PSAC Challenge. She averaged 4.5 steals per game, totaling nine steals across two contests while consistently disrupting opposing backcourts. Her on-ball pressure helped the Broncos force 19 turnovers against Millersville, sparking transition opportunities that fueled FSU’s second-half comeback.
O’Neal also delivered on the glass, collecting 14 rebounds split evenly between the offensive and defensive boards. She added one block and anchored a defensive unit that held Shippensburg to 37 points and limited Millersville’s perimeter looks in the closing minutes.
Game-by-Game Highlights:
- at Shippensburg (11/14/25) – W 52-37: 5 points, 8 rebounds, 4 steals
- at Millersville (11/15/25) – W 64-62: 6 points, 6 rebounds, 5 steals, 3 made free throws
Rookie of the Week
Shanon Hoover, Bluefield State
Hoover made an immediate impact in her collegiate debut, coming one rebound and three steals shy of a rare opening-night triple-double. She finished with 13 points, nine rebounds, and seven steals in a dominant two-way performance that powered Bluefield State to a 100-53 win over Mansfield. Her energy on the glass and activity in passing lanes set the tone early, showcasing her versatility and poise for a first-year player.
In game two, Hoover added four points, three rebounds, one block, and one steal against Clarion. She closed the weekend with 17 points, 12 rebounds, eight steals, and one block across her first two collegiate outings.
Game-by-Game Highlights:
- at Mansfield (11/14/25) – W 100-53: 13 points, 9 rebounds, 7 steals
- at Clarion (11/15/25) – L 66-63: 4 points, 3 rebounds, 1 block, 1 steal
MEN’S WEEKLY RESULTS SUMMARY (Nov. 9–15)
CIAA men’s programs began the 2025-26 season with a full slate of non-conference games. Fayetteville State, Claflin, Lincoln (PA), and Shaw each collected opening-week wins, while several teams saw strong individual performances as lineups and early-season identities continued to take shape.
MEN’S BASKETBALL HONOREES
Player of the Week
Larry Howell, Fayetteville State
Howell powered Fayetteville State’s offense throughout opening weekend, averaging 26.5 points per game while establishing himself as one of the most efficient scorers in Week One. He was relentless in attacking the rim and drawing contact, converting 21-of-24 free-throw attempts for an 87.5-percent mark at the line. Howell added 10 rebounds, six assists, and five steals across the two contests, providing a complete performance that set the tone for the Broncos on both ends of the floor.
His weekend included a 27-point, 6-rebound outing in a win over West Chester and a 26-point follow-up effort on the road at Gannon. Whether finishing through traffic or creating plays in the open floor, Howell delivered consistent production that anchored FSU’s offensive rhythm.
Game-by-Game Highlights:
- vs West Chester (11/14/25) – W 83-80: 27 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 8-for-9 at the line
- at Gannon (11/15/25) – L 102-92: 26 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 13-for-15 at the line
Defensive Player of the Week
Alex Atkinson, Claflin
Atkinson anchored Claflin’s interior defense throughout the Earl Lloyd Classic, delivering one of the most dominant two-way performances of the opening week. He totaled six blocks across two games, recording three in a win over Glenville State and three more against West Virginia State. His timing and rim protection repeatedly stalled opponent runs and set the tone for Claflin’s physical defensive identity.
Atkinson was equally impactful on the glass, pulling down 29 rebounds for the weekend. He grabbed eight boards in the opener before exploding for 21 rebounds against West Virginia State, powering a massive 24-point, 21-rebound double-double. His activity in the paint kept the Panthers competitive possession after possession, making him one of the most disruptive forces in Week One.
Game-by-Game Highlights:
- vs Glenville State (11/14/25) – W 95-92: 10 points, 8 rebounds, 3 blocks
- at West Virginia State (11/15/25) – L 96-90: 24 points, 21 rebounds, 3 blocks
Rookie of the Week
Olanrewaju Julius, Lincoln (PA)
Julius opened his collegiate career with one of the strongest freshman debuts of Week One, posting a 19-point, 11-rebound double-double to lead Lincoln past Pitt-Johnstown. The freshman guard showcased poise beyond his class year, attacking the paint with efficiency and controlling the glass on both ends of the floor. His interior presence and ability to finish through contact established early confidence for the Lions’ offense.
He followed that effort with another efficient performance at Indiana (PA), scoring 15 points on 6-for-7 shooting while adding five rebounds. Across two games, Julius totaled 34 points, 16 rebounds, and shot 62 percent from the field, immediately emerging as a key contributor for Lincoln.
Game-by-Game Highlights:
- vs Pitt-Johnstown (11/14/25) – W 75-73: 19 points, 11 rebounds, 5-for-6 at the line
- at Indiana (PA) (11/15/25) – L 82-57: 15 points, 5 rebounds, 6-for-7 shooting
Fans can follow CIAA basketball all season long on the
CIAA Sports Network and across official conference social media platforms.
Media Contact:
Anna M. Butzlaff
Associate Commissioner, Strategic Communications
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA)
abutzlaff@theciaa.com
About the CIAA
Founded in 1912, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is the first, and longest-running, African American athletic conference in the U.S. and one of the most recognized conferences in Division II. The CIAA conducts 14 championships attended by more than 150,000 fans from around the country. The Basketball Tournament has been honored as a 2019 Champion of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism by Sports Destination Management, the leading publication with the largest circulation of sports event planners and tournament directors in the sports tourism market, for both 2018 and 2019.
Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the CIAA is governed by the Presidents and Chancellors of its 12 member institutions: Bowie State University, Bluefield State University, Claflin University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Livingstone College, Shaw University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University, and Winston-Salem State University. For more information on the CIAA, visit theciaa.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.