By Maliik Obee
Special to the AFRO
Day three of the women’s 2024 CIAA Tournament bracket featured four teams looking to punch their final-four ticket. In the first quarterfinal matchup of the day, the Elizabeth City State Vikings defeated Saint Augustine’s 64-60, sending the Falcons packing.
The fourth-seed Falcons made light work of the Lincoln Lions on Feb. 27, capturing a 64-52 victory. But on Feb. 28, the Vikings showed why they are defending CIAA champions.
St. Augustine’s kept pressing the issue throughout, climbing to a 31-25 lead at the half thanks to a three-headed offensive attack from double-digit scorers Janiya Reed, Taniyah Greene and Lauren Banks. The trio combined for 43 points and 27 rebounds, with the Falcons bench contributing 27 points of their own.
But the Falcons had no answer for guard Dy’Jhanik Armfield, who led the Vikings with 16 crucial points and six rebounds. The Vikings’ ability to make free throws (12 for 18) and come up with some late defensive stops puts them back in the final four. On Feb. 29, they’ll face No. 2-seeded Claflin in hopes of returning to the championship.
Fayetteville State dominates Bluefield State 59-45
After waiting two days for its turn to take the court as top-seed, the Fayetteville State Broncos routed the Bluefield State Big Blue 59-45. CIAA player of the year Aniylah Bryant scored 24 points to take home the Food Lion MVP, shooting 9-20 (48 percent) from the field and 3-6 from the three-point line.
The Big Blue jumped to an 11-10 lead after the first, before the Broncos held them to just 4 points (1-15 shooting) in the second. After going up 26-15 at the half, Bryant took over the contest by scoring at will. The Broncos’ defense restricted the Big Blue to 5-25 shooting from beyond the three-point line.
Bluefield All-CIAA forward Alexyss Newman was the only other double-digit scorer in the contest, posting 19 points and 9 rebounds.
In the fourth quarter, the Broncos struggled to put the ball in the basket (3-13), but their defensive effort and 44 rebounds made all the difference.
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