Charlotte, NC (January 27, 2026) – Week Eleven of CIAA Basketball featured elite perimeter shooting, disruptive defensive play, and high efficiency scoring across both divisions as teams navigated a competitive late January slate. Veteran performers delivered standout scoring runs while freshmen continued to emerge as reliable contributors. The CIAA recognizes six student athletes for their outstanding play during the week of January 18 through January 24.
WOMEN’S WEEKLY RESULTS SUMMARY (Jan. 18–Jan. 24)
CIAA women’s programs showcased confident perimeter shooting, balanced scoring attacks, and active defensive pressure. Bluefield State’s backcourt fueled one of the strongest offensive performances of the season, Virginia State asserted its defensive identity through aggressive guard play, and Elizabeth City State continued to gain momentum through efficient contributions from its young frontcourt.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL HONOREES
Player of the Week
Jhakia Gist, Bluefield State
Gist delivered a dominant and electrifying two game stretch for Bluefield State, powering the Blue Bees with elite three-point shooting and poised playmaking. The graduate point guard totaled 42 points across the week while shooting 13-for-28 from the field and 10-for-23 from beyond the arc (43 percent). She also finished a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line while adding 5 rebounds and 6 steals.
Her signature performance came on January 23 against Lincoln (PA), where she erupted for 25 points on seven three pointers in a 102–68 win. Gist opened the week with 17 points and three more triples against Virginia Union, continuing to apply offensive pressure throughout both contests.
Game by Game Highlights:
Defensive Player of the Week
Shayla Wyatt, Virginia State
Wyatt delivered a disruptive defensive week for Virginia State, helping lead the Trojans to a 2–0 road stretch through aggressive perimeter coverage and active hands. The freshman guard totaled 7 steals across two contests while adding 6 rebounds and 4 assists, consistently generating turnovers and transition opportunities from on ball pressure.
Wyatt recorded 4 steals and 4 rebounds in a January 21 win over Bowie State, then followed with 3 steals and 8 points at Elizabeth City State to close the week.
Game by Game Highlights:
Rookie of the Week
Tionna Pettus, Elizabeth City State
Pettus delivered an efficient and poised week for Elizabeth City State, starting both contests and providing reliable frontcourt scoring and defensive presence. The freshman forward shot an impressive 8-for-11 from the field (72.7 percent) across two games while totaling 16 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks, and a steal.
She opened the week with 10 points and a block in a win at Lincoln (PA), then followed with 6 points, 5 rebounds, and a steal against Virginia State, continuing to showcase her advanced touch inside and strong decision-making in limited minutes.
Game by Game Highlights:
MEN’S WEEKLY RESULTS SUMMARY (Jan. 18–Jan. 24)
CIAA men’s programs were fueled by elite guard play, efficient offensive pacing, and defensive rebounding control. Bluefield State’s perimeter firepower led to a 2–0 week, Fayetteville State continued to generate late season rhythm through interior physicality and defensive glass dominance, and Lincoln (PA) saw a surge of rookie production from its emerging forward core.
MEN’S BASKETBALL HONOREES
Player of the Week
Myles Pierre, Bluefield State
Pierre delivered a high scoring and efficient two game week for Bluefield State, totaling 38 points across two victories while shooting 14-for-26 from the field and 9-for-17 from three. The senior guard averaged 19.0 points per game and set the tone with one of the strongest individual shooting performances of the season.
Pierre erupted for 28 points and seven three pointers against Virginia Union on January 21, then added 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists in a narrow 65–62 win over Lincoln (PA), completing a perfect week for the Blue Bees.
Game by Game Highlights:
Defensive Player of the Week
Romeo Aquino, Fayetteville State
Aquino anchored Fayetteville State’s defensive identity through two road victories, controlling the interior with high energy defensive rebounding, physical rim protection, and timely stops. Across the week, the senior forward totaled 18 rebounds, including 16 defensive, while adding 2 steals and a block as the Broncos closed the week 2–0.
His best defensive showing came on January 19 at USC Beaufort, where he pulled down 12 rebounds with 10 coming on the defensive end and added a steal in a 114–112 win. Aquino followed with 6 defensive rebounds, a block, and a steal in a 96–80 win at Livingstone.
Game by Game Highlights:
Rookie of the Week
Olanrewaju Julius, Lincoln (PA)
Julius continued his strong freshman campaign with one of his most efficient scoring weeks of the season, totaling 39 points and 9 rebounds across two contests while shooting 15-for-23 from the field and 6-for-9 from three. The forward averaged 19.5 points per game and contributed both interior finishing and perimeter spacing for the Lions.
His breakout came on January 21 against Elizabeth City State, where he scored 25 points on 9-for-14 shooting with four three pointers and six rebounds in a 68–47 win. Julius added 14 points and 3 rebounds at Bluefield State to close the week.
Game by Game Highlights:
Fans can follow CIAA basketball all season long on the CIAA Sports Network and across official conference platforms. The road now leads to Baltimore as the 2026 CIAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament tips off February 24 through February 28 at CFG Bank Arena. Tickets and tournament information are available at ciaatournament.org.
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.