By AFRO Staff

The 2023 CIAA Tournament returned to Baltimore from Feb. 21 to 25. The CFG Bank Arena in Downtown Baltimore was full of activity as the nation’s premier Black athletes met on the court. The CFG Bank Arena, formerly Royal Farms Arena, is newly renovated and opened its doors for the first time for this year just in time for the CIAA Tournament. The competition hosts a number of HBCUs throughout the country who –for a second year in a row– have converged on Charm City to compete and celebrate Black history, Black sports and African-American culture. 

On the first day of the tournament, the women of Shaw University beat out Claflin University 62 to 49. Johnson C. Smith’s women came out victorious against Virginia Union in the opening round, with a final score of 72 to 54. The men of Shaw University beat Bowie State 63 to 53 on day one, with Elizabeth City State eking out a win against Livingstone College, 74 to 69.

The tournament once again increased business and revenue for the City of Baltimore, where Mayor Brandon Scott has made it clear that he wants the tournament to return to Baltimore each year moving forward. 

  • Bowie State and Shaw mascots engage the crowd.
  • Virginia Union’s Aaliyah Beans goes against the women of Johnson C. Smith University.
  • Shaw’s Amiri Waddell drives toward the basket against the Bowie State Bulldogs.
  • Shaw University senior guard Makenzie Pollard drives past sophomore defender, Janelle Sample, of Claflin University.
  • Sophomore Khyree Temple of Livingstone College blows past Elizabeth City State University’s Jayden Flournoy.
  • Livingstone college sophomore Levar Allen beats out three defenders from Elizabeth State University.
  • Freshman guard Antonio Warner of Shaw University takes on Anthony Carpenter from Bowie State University.

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