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58 thAnnual CIAA Basketball Tournament
Eagles Bury Broncos
FEBRUARY 27, 2003, Raleigh, NC---It was bombs away for
the No. 1 seed North Carolina Central University (16-12) as they nailed
13 three pointers in route to a 85-75 victory over Fayetteville State
University (11-17) at the RBC Center in Raleigh, NC.
The game started with both teams trading baskets, and the score remained
close with neither team able to pull out in front by more than four points.
Trailing 24-23, the Eagles went on a 17-3 run over the last four and a
half minutes of the first, and a three from All CIAA player Shawn Ray
gave NCCU their largest lead of the half.
“The boys played really well,” said NCCU head coach Phil Spence.
“They played well throughout the season.”
Ray led all scorers with 17 points in the half, connecting on three from
downtown. Guard Stephen Bernard paced the Broncos with six points, and
All CIAA player Bryan Chapman had five.
FSU opened the second on a 14-5 run, with Chapman netting 10 points during
the run. Playing on a tender ankle in which he injured against Saint Paul’s
College, Chapman brought the Broncos back, scoring 25 of his game-high
30 points in the second half.
With 2:20 left, Bernard hit a three, pulling Fayetteville to within five
(75-70). Chapman was fouled on the Broncos’ next possession, but
was only able to make one of his two free throws. Guard James Tucker hit
a crucial three pointer, extending the Eagles lead (78-71). With 43 seconds
remaining, Anthony Moore forced a Chapman turnover and ended any FSU hopes
of victory. Broncos head coach Sam Hanger said, “Our defense wasn’t
as sharp as it was yesterday, they (NCCU) played hard and deserved to
win.”
Ray had an all around good game scoring a team-high 29 on 5-for-9 three-point
shooing, and Tucker finished with 15. “We feel like it’s our
time now,” said Ray. “It’s time for another banner go
up in the gym.”
All-CIAA player Kenny Haywood contributed 12 points, and seven boards.
Gerald Johnson added eight points and nine rebounds for FSU.
The Eagles will play in the semi finals against the winner of the Bowie
State University/Johnson C. Smith University game.