Baltimore, MD. - The long waited arrival of the 2025 Food Lion CIAA Men's & Women's Basketball Tournament was finally over, as six games took place to kick off day one. The day began with four women's matchups to help commence the 50th anniversary of the women's basketball tournament, followed by two men's competitions. Of the six day-one matchups, only one lower seed defeated their higher counterpart, with 5N Lincoln defeating 4S Shaw.
(Women's) Bluefield State def. Johnson C. Smith, 74-59
The Bluefield State Big Blue (11-18) opened the 2025 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Women’s Basketball Championship Tournament with an impressive 74-59 win over the Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls (7-19), Tuesday morning. Though Johnson C. Smith gave a valiant effort in the game, the Big Blue defense proved to be too much to overcome. With the win, Bluefield State will advance to the quarterfinal round of the tournament where they will take on the top-seeded Fayetteville State Broncos, tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. Johnson C. Smith will complete the 2024-25 season with a 7-19 overall record.
(Women's) Claflin def. Elizabeth City State, 50-39
In the first round of the CIAA Women's Tournament, Claflin secured a 50-39 victory over Elizabeth City State in a defensive battle at CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore, Maryland. Claflin set the tone early, outscoring ECSU 12-6 in the first quarter and extending their lead to 33-17 by halftime. Despite a stronger second-half effort from ECSU, Claflin’s defense held firm to maintain their lead. Claflin advances to the quarterfinal round to face Virginia Union on Thursday, February 27 at 12pm.
(Women's) Lincoln (PA) def. Shaw, 54-49
Lincoln University (PA) and Shaw University battled in a tightly contested first-round matchup at the CIAA Tournament, with the Lions securing a 54-49 victory at CFG Bank Arena on Tuesday afternoon. Shaw made a late push, cutting the deficit to three points in the final minute, but Lincoln capitalized at the free-throw line to hold on for the win. The Lions advance to face Virginia State University in the quarterfinals on Wednesday, February 26, as the tournament action continues in Baltimore.
(Women's) Bowie State def. Winston-Salem State, 64-54
Despite a hot start from the Rams that saw them open the game on a 23-3 run, Bowie State would fight their way back into the game and ultimately come out on top, winning the game 64-54. The Bulldogs will now have a day off before they take on Livingstone on Wednesday, February 27 at 6:00 P.M.
(Men's) Bowie State def. Livingstone, 68-64
The Bulldogs and the Blue Bears' men's squads met in the opening round of the tournament for the third time in the last six seasons, with Bowie State eliminating Livingstone from the tournament for a second-consecutive season, 68-64. The Blue Bears trailed by as much as 18 in the first half but clawed their way back into the game and would even take the lead in the second half, but the tough Bulldogs squad re-claimed the lead and held Livingstone at bay, advancing to the next round of the tournament.
(Men's) Virginia Union def. Shaw, 71-45
Virginia Union took on Shaw to conclude day one of the tournament and dominated from start to finish, holding the Bears to just one point scored for the first eight minutes of the game. Shaw fought back hard, but were unable to overcome the deficit, as they'd fall to the Panthers, 71-45. Virginia Union will face off with Fayetteville State tomorrow night to conclude day two of the tournament.
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