Dec. 2, 2005

Final Stats

Winston-Salem, NC - The Winston-Salem State University Rams basketball team burned up the nets for a season-high 60.6% shooting from the field en route to an impressive 103-80 win over Knoxville College in opening round action of the CE Gaines Basketball Classic in Winston-Salem, NC on Friday evening.

The Rams never trailed in the contest as they led the Bulldogs wire-to-wire as WSSU earned their third win of the season and pulled even at 3-3 on the year. 

The tempo of the contest was not as many would have expected as the Rams, a deliberate, set-offense team ran for the entire 40 minutes of play as they capitalized on 18 Bulldog turnovers that they turned into 21 easy points.

For the first time in their six games during the 2005-06 season, the Rams would lead a contest heading into the locker room at halftime as they held a comfortable 17-point cushion at the end of the first period, leading 56-39.

All hopes for a Bulldog comeback would be dashed only six minutes later as WSSU increased their lead to 24 points midway through the second half of play.

The only question left on the minds of nearly 3,100 Ram fans at the C.E. Gaines Center was whether or not WSSU would crack the century mark in the contest.  That question was answered when walk-on guard Andrew Porter buried the first of a pair of free-throws with 1:51 to play to make the score 100-75 in favor of the host-team Rams.

Leading the way for WSSU was Alleggrie Guinn as he recorded 20 points, four rebounds, five assists, three blocks and a lone steal in the contest.  Guinn led seven Rams in double figures as it marked the first time since January 25, 2005 that WSSU had five or more players crack the double-digits in scoring.

Pacing the Bulldogs was Tony Scruggs who recorded a game-high 36 points on 11 of 18 shooting from the floor (11 for 11 from the free throw line as well). 

With the win, the Rams improve to 3-3 overall (0-1 CIAA) while the Bulldogs fall to 6-2 overall with the loss.

Both teams return to action on Saturday as Knoxville faces Claflin College at 3:00 pm and the Rams face Wingate at 5:00 pm.

For additional information on WSSU men's basketball or the 2005 CE Gaines Basketball Classic, contact the WSSU Office of Sports Information at (336) 750-2143 or log on to the Official Website of WSSU Athletics at www.WSSURAMS.com

- wssurams.com -