By Maliik Obee

Special to the AFRO

Fayetteville State overcame a week of close calls and near falls to achieve the only goal that mattered this season.

The No. 1-seeded Broncos defeated No. 1-seeded Elizabeth City State 64-59 in the women’s title game of the CIAA Tournament, sending home the defending champions in a nail-biter that pleased the supportive crowd at CFG Bank Arena on March 2.

“A close one is always a tough one,” Fayetteville State interim coach Tyreece Brown said. “This just feels amazing.”

Elizabeth City State players, right, focus attention on Fayetteville State guard Aniylah Bryant – who was named CIAA tournament’s most valuable player. Her team escaped with a 64-59 victory over the Vikings on March 2. AFRO Photo / Stephen Hopkins

The gritty matchup came down to late-game scoring moments (and questionable calls), as Fayetteville State’s Keayna McLaughlin and Aniylah Bryant traded buckets with Elizabeth City State guards Nyasia Blango and Alanis Hill. 

McLaughlin earned the game’s most valuable player honor, scoring 17 points, along with four rebounds and two steals. Bryant, who was named tournament most valuable player, added 12 points and five rebounds. 

Fayetteville State guard Keayna McLaughlin, right, drives hard by Elizabeth City State’s Nyasia Blango. She scored a game-high 17 points to lead the Broncos to a women’s CIAA tournament title on March 2. AFRO Photo / Stephen Hopkins

With less than a minute remaining, Blango (12 points) nailed a contested 3-pointer from deep to pull the Vikings within a point at 60-59. 

McLaughlin responded with a drive to the basket on the next play, splitting two defenders for a layup to pusht the Broncos ahead by three points with :09 seconds remaining.