FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  – The Shaw University men's basketball team dropped a 74-68 decision on the road to Fayetteville State University on Wednesday night inside Felton J. Capel Arena. Larry Richardson, II (Garner, NC) scored a game-high 25 points but the effort would not be enough to push the Bears pass the Broncos as Shaw falls to 8-12 overall and 5-3 in the CIAA. 

With the win, FSU is now 9-10 overall and 4-6 in the league. 

David Madol (Manchester, NH) added 17 points, while Akeem Echols (Baltimore, MD) contributed eight points, and Joell Hopkins, Jr. (Raleigh, NC) finished with six points and six rebounds in the setback. DeAaron Ward (Wilson, NC) grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds for the Bears.

The Bears opened up the contest with a 14-6 lead off an 8-0 run over the Broncos with 16 minutes left in the first half. FSU would cut the deficit and tie the game at 18 apiece after Jyonte Raynor knocked down three free-throws and from there, the Broncos would produce a 20-9 run to lead by 11-points - their largest lead of the half. 

In the final 38 seconds of the half, Shaw trimmed the lead after a 3-pointer from Richardson, II and a jumper from Hopkins, Jr. to trail 40-34 at halftime.

Down by 10 points in the second half, Shaw carved the Broncos lead until they tied the game at 56-all after Madol scored three consecutive baskets for the Bears at the 8:43 mark.

FSU would score on the next possession down to take the lead for good. Shaw got within two points on two occasions but the Broncos would not yield the lead as they were able to close out the contest with a 8-2 run in the final seconds to secure the win.

For the contest, SU outrebounded FSU 41-37 but the Broncos held the advantage in the paint (46-20), bench scoring (26-16), fast breaks (8-5), while scoring 22 points compared to the Bears 14 points off of turnovers.

Michael Tyson led FSU with 18 points and 13 rebounds, while Carl McCray and Isaiah Vinson tallied 11 points each, and Raynor finished with 10 points.

The Bears will return to action on Saturday, January 30th when they host Johnson C. Smith University with a tip slated for 4 p.m. in C.C. Spaulding Gymnasium.

For the most up-to-date information on Shaw men's basketball and its 11 varsity sport teams, visit shawbears.com.