Fayetteville State Wins 2026 CIAA Men’s Basketball Championship with 71–68 Comeback Over Bluefield State
BALTIMORE, MD- Fayetteville State Broncos men's basketball captured the 2026 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Men’s Basketball Championship with a dramatic 71–68 comeback victory over Bluefield State Big Blue men's basketball on Saturday afternoon at CFG Bank Arena.
FSU Championship | Photo: CIAA
Trailing by eight points at halftime, the Broncos rallied behind a sensational performance from guard Terrell Williams, who delivered one of the tournament’s defining performances. Williams finished with 29 points, earning Food Lion Player of the Game honors and being named CIAA Tournament MVP, leading Fayetteville State back to the top of the conference.
The championship marks another milestone for the Broncos, who relied on timely shooting, defensive pressure, and late-game execution to secure the title and an automatic berth into the NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Tournament.
Bluefield State Controls Early Momentum
Bluefield State entered the championship game confident and aggressive, executing efficiently on both ends of the floor. Guard Ellija Preddy led the early charge, attacking the basket and knocking down tough jumpers on his way to a 20-point performance.
Forward Anthony Latty dominated inside during the first half, scoring on putbacks and throwing down two emphatic dunks that energized the Big Blue bench. Bluefield State built a strong early lead and carried a 40–32 advantage into halftime.
Despite the deficit, Fayetteville State stayed within striking distance. Williams knocked down two early three-pointers to keep the Broncos in the game, while Darius Boben provided interior scoring. Larry Howell added a strong drive and free throw, and Travon Cooper hit a key three-pointer late in the half to prevent the lead from growing further.
Broncos Rally in Second Half
Fayetteville State came out of the locker room with renewed energy. Williams opened the second half with a layup and a deep three-pointer, quickly cutting the deficit and reigniting the Broncos’ momentum.
Bluefield State briefly pushed the lead back to double digits behind continued scoring from Latty and Preddy. But the turning point soon followed.
Boben sparked a critical run with back-to-back fastbreak layups, including one created by a defensive steal from Romeo Aquino. Moments later, Ezekiel Cannedy drilled a clutch three-pointer to trim the deficit to five.
Aquino then scored inside to cut the margin to 57–54, and the Broncos’ defense began forcing turnovers that shifted the game’s momentum.
Williams knocked down two free throws to pull Fayetteville State within one, and Aquino followed with another pair at the line to tie the game.
Late-Game Execution Seals Championship
With the crowd building and momentum fully on the Broncos’ side, Williams delivered again—driving to the basket for a go-ahead layup that gave Fayetteville State its first lead since the opening minutes.
Bluefield State briefly regained the lead with a driving finish, but Howell answered with the biggest shot of the night, drilling a deep three-pointer from the left wing to put the Broncos ahead 67–65.
After a defensive stop, Howell struck again in transition following a steal by Boben, extending the lead to four points.
The Big Blue refused to quit. Preddy hit a contested three-pointer with 32 seconds remaining to pull Bluefield State within two.
But Fayetteville State remained composed in the closing moments. Aquino sank a clutch free throw to make it a three-point game, and Howell secured the defensive rebound after a missed Bluefield State three-point attempt before adding a final free throw to seal the victory.
A last-second heave from Bluefield State missed at the buzzer, and Fayetteville State players stormed the court as blue confetti fell across the arena.
Broncos Punch Ticket to NCAA Tournament
Fayetteville State’s championship performance showcased their balance and resilience. The Broncos shot 43.8 percent from three-point range, recorded 16 steals, and turned those takeaways into 25 points off turnovers.
Williams led all scorers with 29 points, while Howell and Boben each added 14. Aquino contributed crucial late free throws, and Cannedy’s key three-pointer helped spark the comeback run.
Bluefield State’s effort remained impressive, led by Preddy’s 20 points, Latty’s 18 points and 10 rebounds, and Myles Pierre, who finished with 13 points.
With the victory, Fayetteville State not only secured the CIAA championship but also clinched an automatic berth into the NCAA Atlantic Regional Tournament. The Broncos will now await their postseason fate during the NCAA Selection Show on March 8 on NCAA.com.
2026 CIAA Men’s Basketball All-Tournament Team
Jacob Cooper – Virginia State Trojans men's basketball
Alex Atkinson – Claflin Panthers men's basketball
Larry Howell – Fayetteville State Broncos men's basketball
Julius Olanewaju – Lincoln Lions men's basketball
Anthony Davenport – Bluefield State Big Blue men's basketball
Malachi Dark – Virginia Union Panthers men's basketball
Terrell Williams – Fayetteville State Broncos men's basketball
Myles Pierre – Bluefield State Big Blue men's basketball
K.J. West – Bowie State Bulldogs men's basketball
Jared Davis – Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls men's basketball
2026 CIAA Men’s Basketball Tournament MVP
Terrell Williams – Fayetteville State
2026 CIAA Men’s Team Sportsmanship Award
Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls men's basketball