BALTIMORE, MD — February 27, 2026 — Bluefield State (16–14) is headed to the CIAA Men’s Basketball Championship Game after surviving a wild second-half rally from Virginia State (20–10) to earn a gritty 71–66 semifinal victory on Thursday afternoon at CFG Bank Arena. Fueled by a commanding performance from Food Lion Player of the Game Myles Pierre, the Big Blue advance to Saturday’s title matchup, awaiting the winner of tonight’s semifinal between #1 South seed Fayetteville State and #3 South seed Johnson C. Smith.

Bluefield State opened the afternoon with one of its most complete defensive halves of the season, holding Virginia State to just 16 points on 17 percent shooting. The Big Blue’s length, rotations, and rebounding stifled the Trojans early, while a composed offensive attack built a 27–16 halftime lead. Anthony Davenport sparked the offense with timely shot-making and finished with 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting, including three threes.

Pierre, however, was the steady pulse behind Bluefield State’s early control. Attacking downhill and absorbing contact at every turn, he went 17-of-18 at the free-throw line—a staggering number befitting the moment. His ability to manage the floor, get to the stripe, and control tempo was critical as Bluefield established separation before halftime.

But the second half brought a tidal wave of pressure from Virginia State.

The Trojans erupted for 50 points after the break, attacking the rim relentlessly and finally finding the perimeter shooting that eluded them early. Jared White ignited the VSU comeback with four made threes off the bench, while Jacob Cooper, as steady as ever, pushed the pace and willed his group back into striking distance. Cooper finished with 12 points, including several key drives that breathed life into the Trojans’ rally.

Bluefield State, however, refused to crack.

Every time Virginia State closed the gap to single digits, the Big Blue responded with poise. Ellija Preddy delivered timely mid-range buckets and orchestrated the offense with seven assists, while Warren Mouganda and Anthony Latty provided crucial second-chance points and forceful interior defense. Latty added eight rebounds and a key tip-in early in the half as the Big Blue fought to maintain control.

With under four minutes remaining, VSU’s pressure began to intensify. Back-to-back baskets by Cooper and Coleman trimmed the Bluefield lead to six, and a pair of late threes by White made it a one-possession game in the final 20 seconds. The Trojans had clawed all the way back—from down 17—to make it 66–65, but the ball remained in the hands of the game’s most dominant player.
Pierre responded with championship-level composure.

With 33 seconds left, he knocked down two free throws to push the lead to 66–59. After White’s deep three made it 66–62, Pierre calmly sank another pair from the line, restoring the margin to seven. When White drilled yet another contested three to make it 67–65 with 19 seconds left, Pierre stepped to the stripe again and delivered—hitting two more foul shots to push the lead back to three with 17 seconds remaining.

In the closing seconds, Bluefield State produced the game-sealing defensive stand as Pierre stole the ball with one second left—fitting for the Player of the Game—and Davenport added one more free throw to close out the 71–66 win.

Pierre finished with 23 points, 17-for-18 from the line, two assists, two steals, and the defining moments of the contest.

Davenport (14 points), Preddy (10 points, 7 assists), Mouganda (9 points), Latty (6 points, 8 rebounds), and Tako (6 points off the bench) rounded out a complete team performance that overcame Virginia State’s furious rally.

For tournament schedules, tickets, and updates, visit CIAATournament.org.