By HBCU SPORTS

FAYETTEVILLE, NC —The Fayetteville State men’s basketball team won 55-53 at home against the Claflin Panthers on Thursday thanks to a 19-point outburst from the bench and only nine turnovers. The win returns the Broncos to the top of the southern division.

The Broncos (12-10, 7-3 CIAA) had two players in double digits, paced by Tyler Foster (15 points, two blocks). Cress Worthy had 11 points and four assists, while Khalil Ridges had seven.

“At the top of our priority list is that we have no live ball turnovers,” stated head coach Luke D’Alessio. “We didn’t turn the ball over down the stretch, which I thought was fantastic.”

Fayetteville State did a terrific job storming the offensive glass as well, hauling down 16 boards for 19 second-chance points, led by Foster’s four offensive rebounds.

In Thursday’s game, Fayetteville State forced 14 Claflin turnovers while committing only nine themselves. The Broncos converted those turnovers into 14 points on the opposite end of the court. Individually, Sean Tony Hauser led the way with one steal.

“We want to keep working on our defence because that is what we do,” D’Alessio stated after the game. “We still need to improve offensively, continue to not turn the ball over, and make open shots when we have them.”

Fayetteville State embarked on a 14-0 run with 13:27 left in the first half, ending with a bucket from Ridges, to grab an 18-10 lead.

The Broncos soon surrendered part of their lead, but they still led at halftime, 26-21. Fayetteville State’s bench contributed significantly throughout the session, accounting for 15 of the team’s 26 total points.

Fayetteville State maintained its advantage before going on a 5-0 run, capped by Foster’s basket, to increase its lead to 41-35 with 9:22 remaining in the game.

The Panthers closed the gap somewhat before the game ended, but the Broncos held on for a 55-53 victory. Fayetteville State dominated in the paint, accounting for 18 of their 29 points.