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MOREHOUSE (22-10) – In his first season, mercurial head coach Larry Dixon guided the dominant Maroon Tigers to the SIAC regular season (19-5) and tournament title over Tuskegee, earning Div. II playoff berth where they fell to defending national champion and overall top seed Nova Southeastern. Quintet of double-figure scorers led by Sincere Moore’s 13.9 ppg.
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FAYETTEVILLE STATE (23-7) – In Broncos first season under Devin Hoehn, went undefeated (10-0) to take CIAA Southern Div. title before sweeping to tournament crown. As 5th-seed, lost to Cal (PA) in D2 playoffs. Larry Howell’s 20.6 ppg. led quintet of double-digit scorers. Prevailed at Morehouse in two overtimes in regular season.
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Virginia Union (24-5) – After posting best overall record (23-5), Jay Butler’s squad stunned by JC Smith in CIAA quarterfinals. Went on as 7-seed in Div. II playoffs to knock off high-scoring 2-seed West Liberty before losing in OT to 6th-seed Indiana (PA). Bobby Gardner (11.6 ppg.) and Malachi Dark (11.1) led balanced scoring attack.
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Tuskegee (22-8) – Benjy Taylor guided Golden Tigers to top of SIAC West (19-5) and to tournament finals loss to Morehouse. SIAC POY Kusamae Draper (16.1 ppg., 7.5 rpg.), Khalil Genwright (14.5p., 4.5r.), RJ Walker (12.7) were the catalysts.
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Langston (29-7) – Chris Wright’s Lions are in the NAIA national championship game (Tues.) for the second time in three years after posting five NAIA Tournament wins. The wins come after losing in overtime in the Sooner Conference championship to Oklahoma City. They met Freed-Hardemon in Tuesday’s NAIA title game, the same team that defeated the Lions in the 2024 championship game. Orlando Thomas (15.7 ppg.) and Antonio Lewis (11.9) are top Lions scorers.
