The final game of day two in the tournament delivered an intense, edge-of-your-seat finish, as Fayetteville State narrowly defeated Virginia Union, 69-66. The Panthers had a chance to tie the game in the closing moments, but missed key free throws, allowing the Broncos to come out on top in this hard-fought battle.

Key Performers:

• Bobby Gardner led the Panthers with an impressive 24 points, demonstrating his offensive prowess throughout the game.
• Jonathan King wasn't far behind, contributing 22 points and playing a pivotal role in the team's performance.

The game was marked by tight defense and strategic play. Both teams battled for control, but it was the rebounding efforts from Jonathan King and Keysean Faulkner-Smith, who each grabbed 6 rebounds, that kept the Panthers competitive on both ends of the court.

Coach Butler's Reflections:

Head Coach Jay Butler shared his thoughts after the game, reflecting on the challenges the team faced during the season and the emotional toll the loss took on the locker room.

"After the game, this was one of the toughest locker rooms that I've been in in my 20+ years," said Coach Butler. "Fayetteville State is one of the toughest teams in the CIAA. They're a great group of kids. I watched that team grow over the years. They're a senior-laden team and we stood toe-to-toe with them."

He went on to discuss the struggles of playing with a depleted roster, as the Panthers faced significant injuries throughout the season. Losing key players like Tahj Harding, O'Maundre Harris, Kennard Wyche, and Che Evans was a setback for the team. Yet, Coach Butler remained proud of his players' resilience.