Fayetteville, NC-In a hard-fought matchup, Fayetteville State triumphed over Virginia State with a commanding 65-46 win. The game, which featured some impressive individual performances, was defined by strong shooting from Fayetteville State and a difficult offensive outing for Virginia State.

Fayetteville State's offense was led by Keayna McLaughlin, who finished with 15 points on an efficient 7-11 shooting, alongside 8 rebounds. Morgan Graham added 13 points, shooting 6-8 from the field, while Ashara Hayes also contributed 13 points, completing the trio of double-digit scorers for Fayetteville State.

Fayetteville State shot 43.8% from the field (28-64), including 18.8% from three-point range (3-16). However, their most notable strength was their dominance in the paint, where they outscored Virginia State 44-18. Their second-chance points (17) and points off turnovers (17) also reflected their efficient and opportunistic play. Despite struggling from beyond the arc (18.8% shooting), Fayetteville State kept the pressure on Virginia State with their consistent offensive rebounding and aggressive defense.

The second and third quarters were particularly pivotal, as Fayetteville State held Virginia State to just 7 combined field goals in those periods, pulling ahead with a solid defensive effort and timely offensive contributions.

Virginia State's offense, on the other hand, faced significant struggles. The team shot just 26.2% from the field (16-61) and had a particularly tough time in the second quarter, where they made only 2 of 15 shots. Despite the shooting woes, Carmen Kweti led Virginia State with 13 rebounds and 8 points, while Skylar White contributed 10 points, including two three-pointers.

However, the team's shooting performance was below par, especially from three-point range, where they hit just 4 of 14 attempts. In addition, they had trouble generating consistent scoring, especially in the second and third quarters, when they scored only 2 and 5 points, respectively. Virginia State also struggled to limit Fayetteville State's offensive rebounds, which played a large part in the game's outcome.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

• First Quarter: Fayetteville State opened the game strong, shooting 50% from the field (9-18) and holding Virginia State to just 33.3% shooting (5-15). Despite this, Virginia State remained within striking distance, with Kweti pulling down 7 rebounds in the first 10 minutes.

• Second Quarter: The game took a turn as Virginia State struggled, hitting only 2 of 15 field goals (13.3%). Fayetteville State, although not as hot in the second quarter (31.3%), took advantage of Virginia State's offensive struggles and pushed their lead.

• Third Quarter: Both teams were inefficient, but Fayetteville State's lead continued to grow, maintaining a 42.9% shooting mark (6-14), while Virginia State shot just 29.4% (5-17).

• Fourth Quarter: Fayetteville State sealed the game with a 50% shooting quarter (8-16), while Virginia State's struggles continued (28.6%, 4-14).

Bench Contributions

While the starting lineups largely decided the game, both teams received key contributions from their benches. Virginia State's bench outscored Fayetteville State's 28-21, with Kendahl Spearman contributing 10 points and Skylar White adding 10 off the bench. For Fayetteville State, KaNyah O'Neal added 6 points and Talia Trotter chipped in with 7 points.