Feb. 12, 2007
Final Stats
NORMAL, AL - The Bulldogs of Alabama A&M University opened the second half of play with a 20-3 run as they handed the Rams of Winston-Salem State University a 79-63 loss at the T.M. Elmore Gymnasium in Normal, Alabama on Monday evening in non-conference men's basketball action.
The two teams traded baskets during the contest's first 20 minutes of play as the Rams and Bulldogs exchanged leads seven times with neither team leading by more than six points despite WSSU's inefficiency shooting the ball.
The Rams successfully converted only 13 of their 36 first-half shots in the contest as WSSU shot an unimpressive 36.1% from the field during the first period of play.
In spite of the chilly shooting performance, the Rams trailed the Bulldogs by the slimmest of margins headed into the locker room at halftime as Alabama A&M clung to a one-point cushion with the score 37-36.
Alabama A&M, ranked dead last in the Ratings Percentage Index headed into the contest with the Rams, looked like a completely different team in the second half as the Bulldogs mounted a 20-3 run over the first 8:55 of play to turn a one-point lead into an insurmountable 18-point cushion with 11:05 remaining en route to the win.
The Rams struggles from the field proved to be the difference in the game as WSSU's top three scorers combined to post a 10-of-37 shooting evening as Brian Fisher (4-of-13), Darius Floyd (4-of-13), and Jamal Durham (2-11) shot only 27% from the field.
"We couldn't defend in the second half. Our defense tonight was predicated on our offense scoring and it has to be the other way around. We can usually always defend, and tonight that wasn't the case because of our poor offense" WSSU head coach Bobby Collins said.
"We were taking quick shots, and they got lay-ups on the other end as a result. We took a lot of bad shots, and with that Alabama A&M got easy transition buckets. [Brian] Fisher and Darius [Floyd] each went 4-13 from the floor and Jamal Durham shot even worse and when those three guys don't score we struggle. Those guys went something like 1-12 in second half and that hasn't happened all year and it cost us" Collins noted.
Alabama A&M was led by Trant Simpson's game-high 21 points and six rebounds as he led four Bulldogs in double-figures.
The Rams were paced by senior guard Curtis Hines' 15 points as he and Brian Fisher were the only two WSSU players in double figures in the loss.
Winston-Salem State University returns to action on February 21, 2007 at 7:00 pm when they travel to Fargo, North Dakota to face the Bison of North Dakota State University.
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.
