Dec. 5, 2009
Final Stats | Photo Gallery 
WINSTON-SALEM, NC - The Winston-Salem State Rams (2-5) gave it their all, but the team ended the day with a heartbreaking 63-60 home loss to South Carolina State (4-1), Saturday afternoon. The Rams did all they could, but a 52.2 percent shooting performance from the free throw line turned out to be costly as the Rams were edged out for the loss.
"We knew that South Carolina State was a very aggressive team and we didn't do some of the things as far as boxing out. We allowed them too many second chances'" WSSU head men's basketball coach Bobby Collins said after the loss. "And we didn't take care of the opportunities that we had when we got the ball back from them."
The loss came in spite of a stellar performance by the Rams that saw four WSSU players reach double-digit scoring in the game. WSSU junior center Paul Davis powered the effort with a double-double 17 points and 12 rebounds in the game. He also added three blocked shots in the game as well. Senior guard Brian Fisher added 16 points off the bench while freshman Andrew Jackson added 13 points and junior forward McIntoche Alcius added 11 points. As a team, the Rams shot 37.3% from the field with just 14 turnovers in the game. The team also racked up six total blocked shots as well.
"This is the way that MEAC games are going to be throughout this year. Teams that are the most disciplined and can execute, the teams that can cut back on their turnovers, and the team that is going to be aggressive on the offensive end are the teams that are going to win," Collins added. "South Carolina State was picked to finish second in the [MEAC] and my guys played hard. We played with an effort tonight," Collins said.
The Rams found themselves in an early struggle after falling into a 21-11 deficit midway through the first half. The Rams would make a push in the final minutes of the half, cutting the deficit down to one point, 25-24 at the 2:14 mark. It was a 10-2 WSSU run that nearly erased the deficit, but the effort wouldn't stand as the team allowed four unanswered points to take a 29-24 deficit into the locker room at the half.
The second half was as exciting as the first half with Davis leading the way. The junior scored five unanswered points to tie the game and erase the South Carolina State lead with a lay-up at the 17:33 mark. The Rams soon found themselves trailing once again with South Carolina State reclaiming a nine point lead, 39-30 with 14:27 left to play. Once again, the Rams battled their way back into the game late in the half when a three-pointer by junior guard Andrew Jackson tied the game, 47-47 with just over five minutes left to play. The two teams continued their battle down the final stretch of the game.
Neither team managed to go ahead by more than four points for the remainder of the game. A Fisher lay-up with 00:38 left to play would leave the game within reach for the Rams, 59-58. However, a 4-for-6 effort from the free throw line by South Carolina State sealed the WSSU loss. The Rams will return to action next week when they head to Charlotte, N.C. to take on the Charlotte 49ers. For more information on Rams basketball, contact the WSSU Office of Athletic Media Relations at (336) 750-2909 or log on to WSSURams.com.
