Nov. 12, 2006

Final Stats

FRESNO, CA - Darrell Wonge's 15 points, his second double-figure scoring night in a row, could not propel the Rams to a win on Sunday evening as they fell in defeat by the score of 76-58 to the Jaguars of the University of South Alabama from the Save Mart Center in Fresno, CA in final-day action from the Traveler's Basketball Classic.

The Rams started slowly as they found themselves trailing the Jaguars by 10 points only five minutes into the game as the scoreboard favored South Alabama 14-4. 

The young Rams, behind the coaching of new WSSU head coach Bobby Collins, mounted a 23-13 run over the next 11 minutes of play to tie the game at 27-27 with only 3:17 to play in the half.

"I think that we played hard.  All three games we really left it on the floor.  I'm very happy with, and excited about with that.  South Alabama is a very talented team, and I would not be surprised if they are back in the NCAA Tournament again this year [like they were in 2005-06 after winning the Sun Belt title].  But we didn't back down at all, and I am pleased with that effort" head coach Bobby Collins said.

The Jaguars, a team that is fresh off of a 2005-06 Sun Belt Conference Championship and a berth in the 2006 NCAA Tournament, responded like a veteran team should and immediately closed the half on a 7-0 run capped by Demetric Bennett's three-pointer as time expired to give USA a 34-27 lead headed into the halftime intermission.

Second-half action saw the Rams cut the lead to as little as four points with 12:14 remaining in the contest as a Brian Fisher jumper made the score 47-43 in favor of the Jaguars.

That is as close as WSSU would get for the remainder of the contest as South Alabama outscored the Rams 29-15 the rest of the way, ultimately handing WSSU the 76-58 loss.

Leading the way for WSSU was Darrell Wonge who tallied 15 points and pulled down a pair of rebounds.  He was the only Ram in double figures as Jamal Durham chipped in with nine points.

Demetric Bennett led the Jaguars with 17 points as he led four USA players in double figures.  Brandon Davis helped the South Alabama cause with 10 points and 11 rebounds in the win.

"We are a team that is growing and we took some steps towards in growing this weekend.  I am pleased with our effort and intensity.   We just came up against some teams that were a little bit better than us.  We are right there, so close, we have a few things we have to clean up, and we will be okay.  Our lack of offensive rebounding hurt us, but I was very pleased with our intensity."

The loss drops the Rams to 0-3 on the season while the Jaguars improve to 2-1 overall.  Winston-Salem State returns to action on Tuesday, November 14, 2006 as they host Anderson at the C.E. Gaines Center in Winston-Salem, NC at 7:30 pm.

For additional information on WSSU men's basketball, 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 -