CIAA Tournament News: Fayetteville State beats Bowie State 86-83

Courtesy of the CIAA Fayetteville State (21–6, 14–2 CIAA) delivered its most dramatic performance of the season on Wednesday night, erasing a double-digit first-half deficit and outlasting Bowie State (8–22, 5–12 CIAA) in a thrilling 86–83 victory in the CIAA Tournament quarterfinals at CFG Bank Arena. Behind an electric second half and a masterful effort from Food Lion Player of the Game Terrell Williams, the Broncos punched their ticket to the semifinals, where they will face the winner of Thursday’s Virginia Union vs. Johnson C. Smith matchup on Friday, February 27 at…

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CIAA Tournament News: Fayetteville State defeats Virginia Union 56-49, moves on to semifinal round

Courtesy of the CIAA Fayetteville State (20–4) surged ahead early and withstood a late Virginia Union (17–9) push to secure a 56–49 victory on Wednesday evening at CFG Bank Arena, advancing to Friday’s semifinal round where they will face the top Northern Division seed, Bowie State, at 6 p.m. The win was anchored by the all-around impact of guard Talia Trotter, who was named the Food Lion Player of the Game. Fayetteville State wasted no time setting the tone. The Broncos opened the game on a decisive run, building a 22–12 lead…

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CIAA Men’s Tournament News: Johnson C. Smith upsets Virginia Union to advance to tourney semis

Courtesy of the CIAA Johnson C. Smith (12–15) delivered the signature moment of the 2026 CIAA Tournament Thursday night, knocking off nationally ranked Virginia Union (24–5) in a dramatic 64–63 quarterfinal thriller at CFG Bank Arena. With the game — and their season — on the line, Food Lion Player of the Game Jamauri Bryant rose to the moment, burying the go-ahead three with seven seconds remaining to push the Golden Bulls into Friday’s semifinal against #1 Southern seed Fayetteville State at 8 p.m. What began as a tightly contested first half…

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CIAA Men’s Basketball Tournament News: Virginia State beats Lincoln 76-60

Courtesy of the CIAA Virginia State (20–9) delivered a complete, composed performance in its CIAA Tournament opener, defeating Lincoln (PA) (10–20) by a 76–60 margin at CFG Bank Arena. Guided by Food Lion Player of the Game Jacob Cooper,who orchestrated the Trojans’ offense with poise and delivered clutch scoring throughout, Virginia State advanced to Friday’s quarterfinal round where they will face the winner of Claflin vs. Bluefield State on February 27 at 2:00 PM. The opening half showcased high-octane offense on both ends, with ten lead changes and both teams firing confidently…

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CIAA Women’s Tournament : Claflin defeats Virginia State 56-42 to advance to semis

Courtesy of the CIAA Claflin (17–8, 12–5 CIAA) put together one of its most complete defensive performances of the season on Thursday afternoon, shutting down Virginia State (17–8, 11–5 CIAA) in a decisive 56–42 victory in the CIAA Women’s Basketball Tournament quarterfinals at CFG Bank Arena. The Panthers were powered by a breakout showing from Food Lion Player of the Game Tyra Floyd, whose 16 points and four three-pointers fueled Claflin’s wire-to-wire win. With the victory, Claflin advances to face #1 Southern Division seed Winston-Salem State in the semifinal round on Friday, February 27…

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Tiffani-Dawn Sykes named Virginia State’s Associate Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics

image via Virginia State Athletics Courtesy VSU Athletics Virginia State University proudly announces that VSU alumna Tiffani-Dawn Sykes has been hired as the Associate Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics. Sykes, a 2001 VSU graduate, brings more than 20 years of progressive leadership in college athletics to the position. “I am honored to return to Virginia State University, where Greater Happens Here, as the Associate Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics,” said Sykes. “I want to thank President Abdullah and the search committee for their trust and confidence in me to lead…

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Virginia Union downed by Shepherd University , 61-51

title image via Virginia Union Basketball Courtesy VUU Sports 61 Winner Shep 51 VU Team 1 2 F Shep 31  30  61 VU 26  25  51 Virginia Union University’s Che Evans scored 14 points, but Shepherd University defeated the Panthers 61-51 on Friday, December 13, at Barco-Stevens Hall in Richmond, Va. VUU’s Keysean Faulkner-Smith led the Panthers on the boards with five rebounds. “We must continue to find ways to pull these games out,” said VUU Head Men’s Basketball Coach Jay Butler.  “We talk everyday about next man up when we have several key guys out…

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Virginia Union falls 71-58 to Fayetteville State

title image via Virginia Union Athletics Courtesy of VUU Sports Virginia Union University’s DJ Mitchell scored a career-best 17 points, but Fayetteville State University defeated the Panthers 71-58 on Saturday, December 7, in Fayetteville, N.C. VUU’s Malachi Dark added 10 points of his own in the non-conference match=up. “We have been faced with a lot of adversity so far this year, but our guys continue to fight to the end,” said VUU Head Men’s Basketball Coach Jay Butler.  “I thought we played really good on both ends of the floor in the first half against…

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CIAA announces 3rd annual scavenger hunt

Courtesy of the CIAA The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA®), the nation’s oldest historically Black athletic conference, today announced the Third Annual CIAA Scavenger Hunt to kick-off the upcoming Food Lion 2025 CIAA Men’s and Women’s Championship Basketball Tournament.  The tournament will take place February 25 – March 1 at the CFG Arena.   From NOW until February 10th, the CIAA Scavenger Hunt is on in Charm City to explore Baltimore’s hidden gems and support local businesses. Fans are encouraged to visit at least one of the participating businesses below to be entered to win a multitude of…

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Winston-Salem overwhelms Shaw 34-14

14 SHAW 34 Winner WSSU Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F SHAW 0 6 0 8 14 WSSU 7 6 14 7 34 Winston-Salem, controlling the time of possession, while also limiting Shaw to just 89 yards rushing was able to convincingly defeat Shaw 34-14.  The Rams’ offense got right to work, taking the opening kickoff and driving 95 yards in 12 plays, ending with Dailyn Lee plunging in from a yard out to put WSSU 7-0. Shaw would get on the board in the second quarter when Christian Peters connected…

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