HBCU ORIGINAL
Fayetteville State Rallies Late to Capture 2026 CIAA Men’s Basketball Championship
BALTIMORE, Md. — Championship games often come down to one thing: who delivers when the pressure peaks. On Saturday inside CFG Bank Arena, Fayetteville State found its closer — and rode him all the way to a title.
Behind a spectacular second-half performance from Terrell Williams, Fayetteville State erased an eight-point halftime deficit to defeat Bluefield State 71–68, capturing the 2026 CIAA Men’s Basketball Championship and securing an automatic berth into the NCAA Atlantic Regional Tournament.
Williams was unstoppable when it mattered most, finishing with 29 points while earning both Food Lion Player of the Game honors and CIAA Tournament MVP recognition. His shot-making, composure, and leadership fueled a comeback that transformed early frustration into championship celebration.
For Fayetteville State (23–6), the victory marked a return to conference supremacy — built on defensive pressure, resilience, and timely execution.
Bluefield State Strikes First
Bluefield State entered the championship loose and confident, playing with the energy of a team embracing the moment. Ellija Preddy led the early charge, scoring from all three levels on his way to a 20-point performance, while Anthony Latty dominated the interior with powerful finishes and second-chance baskets.
The Big Blue surged to a 28–14 advantage, controlling tempo and forcing Fayetteville State into uncomfortable offensive possessions. Even as the Broncos struggled to find rhythm, Williams kept them within striking distance, knocking down two critical three-pointers.
Additional contributions from Darius Boben, Larry Howell, and Travon Cooper helped steady the Broncos, but Bluefield State carried a 40–32 lead into halftime, appearing firmly in control.
The Turning Point
Championship teams respond — and Fayetteville State’s response came immediately after the break.
Williams opened the second half attacking downhill, scoring on a layup before drilling a deep three that reignited the Broncos’ sideline and cut the deficit to a single possession. Though Bluefield State briefly rebuilt its lead behind Latty’s interior presence, momentum was beginning to shift.
Boben ignited the rally with consecutive fastbreak layups sparked by defensive pressure, including a steal from Romeo Aquino that energized the crowd. Moments later, Ezekiel Cannedy buried a momentum-changing three, trimming the gap and forcing Bluefield State onto its heels.
Turnovers began to mount for the Big Blue as Fayetteville State’s defense tightened. Williams calmly sank free throws to pull within one, and Aquino tied the game at the line, completing the comeback.
Then came the defining moment.
Williams attacked the lane for a go-ahead layup — Fayetteville State’s first lead since the opening minutes — flipping the energy inside CFG Bank Arena entirely.
Closing Time
Bluefield State refused to fade quietly. Preddy connected on a contested three with 32 seconds remaining to cut the deficit to two, setting up a tense finish.
But Fayetteville State executed like champions.
Howell delivered the shot of the night earlier in the stretch, drilling a deep left-wing three to give the Broncos control before finishing a transition basket moments later off a Boben steal. Aquino added a clutch free throw in the closing seconds, and Howell secured the final rebound before sealing the victory at the line.
A last-second heave from Bluefield State fell short as the horn sounded, sending Fayetteville State players sprinting onto the court while blue confetti rained down from above.
Championship Identity
The Broncos flipped the game with a dominant 39–28 second half fueled by defense and efficiency. Fayetteville State shot 43.8 percent from three-point range and converted 16 steals into 25 points off turnovers — the difference in a game defined by momentum swings.
Alongside Williams’ 29 points, Howell and Boben each added 14, while Aquino and Cannedy delivered pivotal plays that shifted the contest during its most critical stretch.
Bluefield State’s effort matched the championship stage. Preddy finished with 20 points, Latty recorded 18 points and 10 rebounds, and Myles Pierre added 13 as the Big Blue controlled long stretches offensively. Ultimately, Fayetteville State’s depth and late-game execution proved decisive.
What Comes Next
With the CIAA crown secured, Fayetteville State now turns its focus to the national stage. The Broncos earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Atlantic Regional Tournament and will learn their postseason fate during the NCAA Selection Show on Sunday, March 8, on NCAA.com.
For now, though, the moment belongs to Fayetteville State — a comeback forged through pressure, resilience, and a star performance that will live in CIAA championship history.
The Broncos are champions once again.
2026 CIAA Men’s Basketball All-Tournament Team
Jacob Cooper – Virginia State
Alex Atkinson – Claflin
Larry Howell – Fayetteville State
Julius Olanewaju – Lincoln (PA)
Anthony Davenport – Bluefield State
Malachi Dark – Virginia Union
Terrell Williams – Fayetteville State
Myles Pierre – Bluefield State
K.J. West – Bowie State
Jared Davis – Johnson C. Smith
Tournament MVP: Terrell Williams – Fayetteville State
Team Sportsmanship Award: Johnson C. Smith
DAYTON, Ohio — Prairie View A&M University secured a historic milestone Wednesday night, earning its first-ever NCAA Tournament victory with a 67–55 win over Lehigh University in the First Four.
Dontae Horne led the charge with a game-high 25 points, while Cory Wells added 19 to pace the Panthers (19–17). Lance Williams chipped in 10 points, helping Prairie View A&M control the game and pull away in the second half.
Making just their third appearance in March Madness, the Panthers delivered a composed performance on the big stage, limiting Lehigh’s offensive rhythm and capitalizing on key scoring runs.
Lehigh (18–17) struggled to find consistency, particularly from leading scorer Nasir Whitlock. After being held scoreless for more than 26 minutes, Whitlock finished with just five points on 2-of-15 shooting—well below his usual production. Hank Alvey provided a bright spot for the Mountain Hawks with 23 points.
With the win, Prairie View A&M advances as a No. 16 seed in the South Region and will take on defending national champion University of Florida in Tampa, Florida.
The victory marks a breakthrough moment for the Panthers, adding their name to the growing list of HBCU programs making noise on college basketball’s biggest stage.
DAYTON, Ohio — Howard University made program history Tuesday night, capturing its first-ever NCAA Tournament victory with a thrilling 86–83 win over University of Maryland, Baltimore County in the First Four.
Bryce Harris delivered a standout performance with 19 points and 14 rebounds, sealing the win with a clutch turnaround jumper with just 13 seconds remaining. His late-game heroics helped the Bison hold off a determined comeback by UMBC.
Ose Okojie led Howard with a career-high 23 points, powering the Bison (24–10) to a long-awaited breakthrough after entering March Madness winless in four previous appearances.
“We’ve accomplished a lot, but getting that first NCAA Tournament win means everything,” said head coach Kenneth Blakeney.
UMBC (24–9) made things interesting down the stretch. A three-pointer from DJ Armstrong Jr. cut the deficit to two with under a minute left. After Harris extended the lead, Jah’Likah King answered with a layup to keep it a one-possession game. But Howard held firm—Isaiah Brown split a pair of free throws, and Armstrong’s last-second three-point attempt missed, securing the historic win.
The Bison controlled much of the game, leading for nearly the entire contest and building a 13-point advantage in the first half. Okojie set the tone early with 16 first-half points, helping Howard take a 49–41 lead into halftime.
UMBC, known for its historic upset over Virginia in the 2018 NCAA Tournament, was looking to recreate March magic but fell just short despite strong performances from King (19 points), Armstrong (17), and Caden Diggs (15).
Cedric Taylor III added 16 points for Howard, excelling at the free-throw line before fouling out late in the game.
The Bison now advance as a No. 16 seed in the Midwest Region and will face powerhouse University of Michigan in the next round in Buffalo, New York.
With history already made, Howard now turns its attention to its next challenge on college basketball’s biggest stage.
The Fayetteville State University men’s basketball team saw its postseason run come to an end with a 96–83 loss to California University of Pennsylvania in the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional Quarterfinal.
The game, played at the Highmark Events Center, marked the conclusion of a strong season for the Broncos, who finished 23–7 overall.
🔥 Strong First Half Effort
Fayetteville State controlled much of the first half, showcasing balanced scoring and energy on both ends of the floor.
Big plays from multiple contributors helped the Broncos build momentum, including key shots from the perimeter and strong interior presence. A late three-pointer gave FSU a 45–42 lead, and they entered halftime narrowly ahead 45–44 after a last-second response from California (PA).
⚡ Second Half Shift
The game turned quickly after halftime.
Following an early basket to extend their lead, Fayetteville State was met with a decisive run from California (PA), fueled by transition scoring and perimeter shooting. The Vulcans surged ahead and stretched the lead to double digits, eventually pushing it to 72–54 midway through the second half.
Despite multiple comeback attempts, the Broncos were unable to regain control.
⭐ Standout Performances
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Ezekiel Cannedy led the Broncos with 20 points
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Larry Howell recorded a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds
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Terrell Williams added a double-double of 13 points and 15 rebounds
Additional contributions came from:
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Darius Boben (8 points)
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Kenneth Brayboy (8 points, late dunks)
📊 Game Notes
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Final Score: California (PA) 96, Fayetteville State 83
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Halftime: FSU led 45–44
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Shooting: 35.3% from the field, 30% from three
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Bench Points: 34
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Second-Chance Points: 23
🏁 Season Reflection
Despite the loss, Fayetteville State’s season stands as a major success. The Broncos captured a conference title and carried momentum into the NCAA Tournament, highlighting their depth, toughness, and ability to compete at a high level.
With key contributors stepping up on the national stage, the program continues to build toward deeper postseason runs in the future.
The Winston-Salem State University women’s basketball team saw its remarkable postseason run come to a crushing end Monday night, dropping a 65–64 thriller to Indiana University of Pennsylvania in the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Championship.
Inside the Kovalchick Convention & Athletic Complex, the Lady Rams battled from start to finish in a game defined by momentum swings, clutch shots, and late-game drama.
Winston-Salem State finishes the season with an impressive 28–4 record, capping off one of the program’s strongest campaigns.
🔥 Back-and-Forth Battle
The Rams showed early resilience, overcoming an early deficit with a strong closing run in the first quarter to take a narrow lead. They carried that momentum into the second, building a double-digit advantage before IUP responded late in the half.
After leading 32–27 at halftime, Winston-Salem State continued to fight through a tightly contested third quarter, holding a 50–47 edge heading into the final period.
💔 Final Seconds Decide It
In the fourth quarter, the Rams appeared in control late, extending their lead to 64–60 with just 36 seconds remaining.
But IUP responded when it mattered most.
A clutch three-pointer in the final seconds gave the Crimson Hawks a 65–64 lead, completing a late comeback. Winston-Salem State had one final opportunity, but a last-second shot attempt missed, sealing the heartbreaking loss.
⭐ Key Performers
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Ah’Kiyah Pye led the Rams with 16 points and strong all-around play
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Makayla Waleed added key scoring off the bench
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Alana Biosse contributed 11 points, including critical three-pointers
As a team, the Rams shot over 40% from the field, forced 19 turnovers, and showed defensive intensity with 13 steals.
📊 Game Snapshot
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Final Score: IUP 65, WSSU 64
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Lead changes: 13
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Ties: 10
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A true championship-level battle from start to finish
🏁 Season Reflection
Despite the loss, Winston-Salem State’s run to the regional championship highlighted the program’s growth, resilience, and championship potential.
One possession short of advancing, the Lady Rams proved they belong among the nation’s elite in Division II women’s basketball.
NORFOLK, Va. — Howard University claimed the 2026 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Women’s Basketball Tournament title Saturday with a 53–46 win over Norfolk State at The Scope, completing a sweep of the league’s tournament crowns after the Howard men also won the MEAC championship.
The Bison, who last earned a MEAC title and NCAA automatic bid in 2022, were led by MEAC Player of the Year and Tournament MVP Zennia Thomas, who posted 15 points and eight rebounds. Nile Miller added 12 points and a game-high 13 boards, while Ariella Henigan, the league’s Rookie of the Year, chipped in 11 points. Howard improved to 26–7 on the season.
Norfolk State, aiming for a fourth consecutive MEAC tournament title and NCAA berth, finished its campaign at 18–13. Jasha Hinton led the Spartans with 11 points, five rebounds, and five assists, and Anjanae Richardson added 10 points.
After trailing 16–9 after the first quarter, Norfolk State rallied to tie the game 27–27 at halftime. Howard responded in the second half with key baskets from Zoe Stewart and a 9–2 run that gave the Bison a 42–33 advantage after three quarters. Norfolk State closed the gap to 47–43 in the final period, but Howard’s Miller scored inside to extend the lead, and the Bison finished strong with four of the game’s final seven points to secure the 53–46 win.
Head coach Ty Grace praised the Spartans’ program and credited his team’s preparation and execution. Miller, the lone senior at the postgame press conference, reflected on finally capturing a MEAC title after four seasons of trying.
2026 MEAC Women’s Basketball All-Tournament Team
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Zennia Thomas, Howard (Tournament Outstanding Player)
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Ariella Henigan, Howard
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Jasha Clinton, Norfolk State
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Anjanae Richardson, Norfolk State
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Kaliya Perry, UMES
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