FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (Feb. 22) – Saint Augustine's University mounted a furious second-half rally before falling 57-52 to Fayetteville State University in a CIAA men's basketball game at Capel Arena on Saturday. It was the last regular-season contest for both teams.
SAU remained fifth in the Southern Division despite the loss, which ended a two-game winning streak. The Falcons will likely take on Lincoln (Pa.) University in a CIAA Tournament first-round game on Tuesday, Feb. 25.
The Falcons nearly overcame a 16-point second-half deficit. Hirk Williams (Sr./Manassas, VA) tied the game at 52-52 on a three-pointer with 2:46 remaining to cap a 10-0 run in a four-minute span. The Broncos re-took the lead at 55-52 on a three-pointer with 1:15 left.
The Falcons (11-17 overall, 5-12 CIAA) misfired on five attempts to either tie the game or cut the margin to one after grabbing four offensive rebounds. The Broncos hit two free throws to ice the game with 9.6 seconds remaining.
Donte Edwards (So./Durham, NC) scored 11 points for the Falcons, who outscored the Broncos 32-16 in points in the paint. Williams and Karaan Clemonts (Jr./Weldon, NC) both added 10 points and Clemonts snatched nine rebounds.
The Falcons started slowly as they fell behind 31-13 in the first half. They entered halftime trailing 38-23 and were down 45-29 in the second half before making their comeback. The Broncos (21-7 overall, 10-7 CIAA), after shooting 51.9 percent in the first half, were held to 26.3 percent shooting in the second half on 5 of 19 attempts.
Williams scored all 10 points in the second half to key the Falcons' run. Gary Jefferson (Jr./Baltimore, MD) added seven points and Rashad George (R-Jr./Raleigh, NC) contributed six points in the final stanza.
Denzell Hosch scored 18 points for the Broncos, who finished third in the Southern Division. Jalen Seegars added 14 points.
