Lincoln Captures CIAA Men’s Basketball Title; Fayetteville State Win CIAA Women’s Crown

By Randy Singleton
Community Affairs Correspondent

Lincoln University (PA) won the 2024 Men’s CIAA basketball championship with a 54-51 victory over Fayetteville State University on Saturday (March 2) at the CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore, MD. Lincoln (17-13) was led by Ethan Garita, who scored 15 points and grabbed 5 rebounds, along with 3 blocked shots. Garita was named the game’s MVP. In the women’s championship game, Fayetteville State (27-3) captured the 2024 Women’s CIAA basketball crown with 64-59 win over Elizabeth City State University. Keaya McLaughlin scored 17 points and had 2 steals for FSU and was named the game’s MVP.  Talia Trotter and Nyah Wilkins both chipped in 12 points each for the victory. FSU held ECSU to only 27 percent shooting from the field. The Lincoln University men and the Fayetteville State women will both participate in the NCAA Regionals.

Notes: The CIAA featured a Super-Saturday Fan Fest event at the Baltimore Convention Center with over 40 vendors and interactive displays. Some of the musical artists who performed during tournament included Sugar Bear of EU, DJ Kool, and Fatman Scoop. Bria Faison of Winston-Salem State was crowned Miss CIAA 2024 and Keenan Lowndes of St. Augustine University was crowned Mister CIAA 2024.