Nov. 18, 2008

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RICHMOND, Ky. – Winston-Salem State University head men's basketball coach Bobby Collins' homecoming to his college alma mater was bittersweet as his Rams fell in defeat to the Colonels of Eastern Kentucky University by the score of 69-44 in non-conference basketball action on Tuesday evening from McBrayer Arena in Richmond, Kentucky.

Collins, a 1991 graduate of EKU and a four-year letterman on the Colonels' men's basketball team saw his young Rams turn in a solid first half of play before the Colonels, a team only two years removed from an Ohio Valley Conference championship and an NCAA Tournament berth, used a second-half run to hand the Rams their second loss of the season.

First half action was a closely contested affair as neither team led by more than six points during the game's first 20 minutes of play. 

The Rams used their athleticism and quickness to their advantage during the first half as senior forward Jamal Durham had his way with three different Colonel defenders.  Durham led all scorers with 10 points and six rebounds during the half as he used his athleticism to generate easy scoring chances.

Playing in their home opener, in front of a raucous home crowd, EKU seemingly countered WSSU's every move as preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference selection Mike Rose tallied eight points and three rebounds, including back-to-back three pointers late in the half, to prevent the Rams from surging ahead.

Five Rams and six Colonels would record points in the half as the two teams headed to the locker room deadlocked at 25-25 for the halftime intermission.

The tie would be short-lived however, as second half action belonged squarely to the Colonels as Eastern Kentucky used a 24-8 run over the first 12 minutes of the second period en route to jumping out to a 49-33 advantage, a margin from which the Rams would never recover.

The EKU lead would balloon to as many as 26 points in the contest as the Colonels used a 51 percent shooting performance to put the game on ice.

Jamal Durham and Paul Davis led the Rams with 12 points each in the contest with Durham narrowly missing a double-double as he pulled down nine rebounds in a losing effort.  Papa Oppong led the Colonels with 15 points and eight rebounds in the win.

The loss drops Winston-Salem State to 0-2 on the season while Eastern Kentucky improves to 1-1 with the victory.

The Rams return to action on Monday, Nov. 24 as they travel across town to face the Demon Deacons of Wake Forest University in the second-half of the Twin City Classic basketball doubleheader.  Tip-off is slated for 7:30 p.m. with the Demon Deacons and Lady Rams taking to the court at 5:00 p.m.

For additional information on WSSU men's basketball, contact the WSSU Office of Athletic Media Relations at (336) 750-2143 or log on to the Official Website of WSSU Athletics at WSSURams.com.