By Megan Sayles
AFRO Staff Writer
The 2025 CIAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament took place in Baltimore at the CFG Bank Arena Feb. 25 through March 1. Men’s and women’s teams competed in the tournament, which featured athletes from 12 historically Black colleges and universities from around the country. This was the fifth year that Baltimore held the tournament.
The Fayetteville State Broncos won the women’s basketball title, defeating the Virginia State Trojans 64-56 on March 1. The Broncos also won last year, so they are on a bit of a winning streak. Virginia State had a little bit more luck in the men’s tournament, taking the title after beating the Big Blue from Bluefield State University 71-64 on March 1. This was their first championship win since 2019.
Three generations of the McMullin Family attend CIAA 2025. Shown here, David Sr., David lll, and David Jr. (AFRO Photos / James Fields) 
The Bowie State University “Symphony of Soul” entertains the crowd. (AFRO Photos / James Fields) 
Lincoln University player Peter Sorber (#25) scores over top of Masaun Moore-Bryant (#2) of Winston-Salem while teammate, Bakir Cleveland (#10), looks on (AFRO Photos / James Fields) 
Lincoln University player Ethan Garit (#20) dunks as Winston-Salem players Micah Jones (#5), Jeremy Dixon (#23) and Masaun Moore-Bryant (#2) try to defend. (AFRO Photos / James Fields) 
Spectator Theophus Bey, from Brooklyn, N.Y., makes the trip to Baltimore for the championship game. (AFRO Photos / James Fields) 
Elijah Davis (#1), a point guard for Bowie State University, makes a move down court. (AFRO Photos / James Fields) 
David McMullin lll gets in on the skills contest. (AFRO Photos / James Fields) 
Matisse Lee is the senior associate athletics director and senior woman administrator at Claflin University. (AFRO Photos / James Fields) 
Singers Rocky Whitaker and Robert Finney perform at the 2025 CIAA tournament. (AFRO Photos / James Fields) 
Johnson C. Smith player Jamauri Bryant (#12) scores on Bluefield State University players Larry Howell (#0) and Shainen Carter (#33). (AFRO Photos / James Fields) 
Lincoln University’s Orange Crush Roaring Lions Marching Band perform with their majorettes, known as Krush Groove. (AFRO Photos / James Fields) 
Livingstone College player Breasia Coit (#34), a former Western High School Player from Baltimore, warms up. (AFRO Photos / James Fields) 
Bowie State University player Beulah Odiong (#10) scores on Livingstone College player Damaria Moree (#10) while Morgan Kelson (#30) stands guard. (AFRO Photos / James Fields) 
Davon Lilly, the 33rd Mr. Lincoln University and Jaelyn Marie Brodie, the 51st Miss Lincoln University, on duty for the CIAA tournament. (AFRO Photos / James Fields) 
Leanne ‘L-Stringz’ Holmes, a 16-year-old professional violinist, performs at the 2025 CIAA Tournament. (AFRO Photos / James Fields) 
Silver Spring, Md. native Myles Frost, best known for his portrayal of Michael Jacskon in the Broadway’s “MJ the Musical,” sings for those in attendance.. (AFRO Photos / James Fields) 
Ti ‘Asia Thomas-Smith is Bowie State University’s Miss Senior 2025. (AFRO Photos / James Fields) 
Bowie State University’s Symphony of Soul Marching Band gives Goldie the Bulldog a beat to step to. (AFRO Photos / James Fields) 
Bowie State University women’s player, Gabrielle Clary (#23), and coach Shadae Swan go over a play (AFRO Photos / James Fields) 
Frank Hooks, former San Diego State University and Finnish basketball league player, attends the CIAA 2025 games in Baltimore. (AFRO Photos / James Fields) 
Malik Williams shows off his charm city skating moves at the CIAA Fan Fest. (AFRO Photos / James Fields) 
Heaven Gaskins (left); Seiah Gaskins; Karen Odiele; Blessing Igberose and Nevaen Tanji , current Wise High School students, take a Fan Fest photo op. (AFRO Photos / James Fields) 
Anthony Collins (left) and Deshaun Johnson, students at Livingstone College, attend the CIAA Fan fest. (AFRO Photos / James Fields) 
Sylvia Grandison, a Virginia State University class graduate of 1974, supports her alma mater.. (AFRO Photos / James Fields) 
Rapper and singer Lloyd Polite Jr. arrives as one of the many performers to showcase at the tournament. (AFRO Photos / James Fields) 
Linda Nelson cheers for Fayetteville University women’s team. (AFRO Photos / James Fields) 
Shown here, Food Lion MVP of the Championship Game, Fayetteville State University’s Keayna McLaughlin (#15). (AFRO Photos / James Fields) 
Virginia State University Band, known as the “Trojan Explosion Marching Band,” rock the stands. (AFRO Photos / James Fields) 
Local entertainer, Kyle “Kyle On The Mic” Jones, serves as the master of ceremonies for the CIAA tournament weekend. (AFRO Photos / James Fields) 
Virginia State University player Jayson Harris (#15) scores on Bluefield State University players Romeo Aquino (#10) and Shainen Carter (#33). (AFRO Photos / James Fields) 
Virginia State University player Davian Coleman (#24) dunks in the Championship game. (AFRO Photos / James Fields) 
CIAA Commissioner Jacqueline “Jacqie” McWilliams-Parker. Installed in 2012, McWilliams-Parker has made measurable strides with the tournament. (AFRO Photos / James Fields) 
Tony (left) and Shavonn Ashford share the CIAA experience with Kylora Tate and Kai’ son Tate. (AFRO Photos / James Fields) 
Samone Carpenter attend CIAA with her mother, Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams-Parker. (AFRO Photos / James Fields) 
Shown here, the Fayetteville State University Women’s basketball team, moments after their win of the 2025 CIAA Women’s Championship game. The score was 64-56.. (AFRO Photos / James Fields) 
DJ Spinderella works the turntables at the 2025 CIAA Tournament. (AFRO Photos / James Fields) 
Sam Foster, a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. enjoys the game. (AFRO Photos / James Fields) 
Baltimore City Mayor Brandon M. Scott dons his CIAA paraphernalia (AFRO Photos / James Fields) 
The Virginia State University Men’s basketball team takes home the trophy over Bluefield State University in the CIAA championship game that ended with a score of 71-64 (AFRO Photos / James Fields) 
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