Fayetteville State Rallies Past Bowie State for Title ...

When the stakes are highest, champions find another gear—and that's exactly what Fayetteville State proved Friday night in Baltimore.

The Broncos women's basketball team clawed back from a five-point deficit to edge Bowie State 49-46 in a defensive showdown at CFG Bank Arena. The semifinal victory sends them to Saturday's CIAA Championship game, where they'll face rival Winston-Salem State at 1:00 PM.

Nyah Wilkins delivered when it mattered most, earning Food Lion Player of the Game honors with 13 points, 10 rebounds, and four steals. But her stat line doesn't capture the intensity she brought when her team needed it most.

Fayetteville State controlled the first half, building a 26-24 lead behind steady play from guard Talia Trotter. Then Bowie State erupted for 19 third-quarter points, seizing a 43-38 advantage and threatening to end the Broncos' championship dreams.

Why This Inspires

Fayetteville State Rallies Past Bowie State for Title Shot

What happened next shows why resilience matters more than perfection. The Broncos refused to fold under pressure.

Nevaeh Colon sparked the comeback with a deep three-pointer that cut the deficit to two. Alivia Evans followed with another clutch triple, and suddenly the momentum had completely shifted.

Trotter delivered the defining moment at 2:45 remaining, stealing a pass at midcourt and finishing a fast-break layup that gave Fayetteville State a 46-45 lead. Wilkins extended it with a powerful layup through contact moments later.

The defense took over from there. Fayetteville State held Bowie State without a field goal for the final four minutes, contesting every shot and dominating the boards.

Even when Bowie State closed within two on late free throws, Trotter stayed calm. With eight seconds left, she sank a free throw to push the lead to 49-46, giving her team the cushion it needed.

Bowie State's final three-pointer bounced off the rim as time expired. The Broncos were headed to the championship.

Saturday's matchup adds extra drama—Fayetteville State and Winston-Salem State split their regular season meetings, each winning on their home court. Now they'll settle it on neutral ground for the CIAA title.

After falling behind when it mattered most, these Broncos showed what championship teams do—they find a way to win.