Dec. 29, 2009
Box Score
ATLANTA, Ga. - A tenacious Winston-Salem State University men's basketball team stayed within striking distance of the 20th-ranked Yellow Jackets of Georgia Tech for the first 20 minutes of play before a devastating 17-0 run to open the second half of play doomed the Rams as they dropped a 78-43 decision at Alexander Memorial Coliseum on Tuesday afternoon in Atlanta.
Despite shooting an anemic 29.6 percent from the field during the games' first half of play, the Rams of Winston-Salem State used a lockdown defensive effort to force 13 Georgia Tech turnovers during the first 20 minutes en route to holding the high-scoring Yellow Jackets, a team that boasts a lineup featuring three McDonald's All-Americans, to only 33 points in the period.
Using his ninth different starting lineup combination, WSSU head coach Bobby Collins went to his bench early and often as 12 players recorded playing time and seven players scored at least two points, led in the first half by freshman guard Marcus Wells' five points.
The third-ranked point guard in the state of North Carolina, and ESPN.com's 29th-ranked point guard in the country coming out of high school, Wells hit two of his five shots from the field in the half including a deep three-pointer that helped WSSU stay well within striking distance of the `Jackets at the halftime break as the Rams trailed by only 15 points, 33-18 at the intermission. The freshman sensation would score all five of his points in the game's first 20 minutes as he helped to lead the WSSU offense.
A productive first half of play for WSSU would be negated by the first seven minutes of the game's final period as Georgia Tech came out of the locker room with an impressive 17-0 run to put the contest out of reach for the visiting Rams.
The Rams and their faithful who had made the five hour trip south from Winston-Salem saw the Yellow Jackets score 17 points to open the second half of play before a pair of Brian Fisher free throws gave WSSU their first points of the period with 12:56 remaining in the game.
The offensive outburst gave Georgia Tech what would prove to be an insurmountable advantage at 50-18 before Fisher's two points from the free throw line ended the Rams' scoring drought.
To WSSU's credit the `Jackets 31 point lead would not stifle Winston-Salem State's effort as the Rams refused to go away.
Contributions from sophomore guard Lamar Monger and junior transfer Andrew Jackson as well as solid production from junior big man Corey Morris paced the Rams' over the final nine minutes of the game as 11 of the trio's 15 total points came in contest's closing moments.
The Rams were led by Brian Fisher who recorded nine points in the loss and Lamar Monger and Shelton Carter who each chipped in with seven points.
Mfon Udofia led four Yellow Jackets in double figures with 17 points in the victory. Zachery Peacock and Derrick Favors each recorded 13 points for Georgia Tech.
The loss drops Winston-Salem State to 2-8 on the season while Georgia Tech improves to 10-2 on the season with the victory.
The Rams return to action on Jan. 4, 2010 as they open the new year by playing host to Columbia Union at the C.E. Gaines Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
For additional information on Rams 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.
