Feb. 23, 2009
Final Stats
NORFOLK, Va. - Michael Deloach, the MEAC's leading scorer and a senior who has scored nearly 1,000 points in only three seasons at Norfolk State was a non-factor in the first half on Monday evening at Echols Hall as the Rams of Winston-Salem State University used a defensive scheme that never allowed him to get into a comfort zone en route to snapping a two-game losing streak as they handed the Spartans a 68-64 loss in front of their home crowd.
Winston-Salem State used a trapping, aggressive defensive style during the first 20 minutes of play that forced the ball away from DeLoach, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference's leading scorer who entered the contest scoring over 20 points per game.
While the Rams' pressure defense made things difficult for DeLoach and his Norfolk State teammates, Winston-Salem State had very little difficulty during the contest's first 20 minutes.
The Rams held DeLoach to only seven first-half points as the senior guard hit only two of his 11 field goal attempts despite playing all 20 minutes in the half. Not only would DeLoach have difficulty with the WSSU defense but the rest of the Spartans managed to hit only five of their 19 shots from the field as the Rams held NSU to a season-low 23.3 percent shooting performance in the half.
Conversely, the Rams scorched the nets at a 51.9 percent pace as eight WSSU players recorded points in the half as Winston-Salem State successfully converted 14 of their 27 shots from the field.
The Rams started the contest on a 6-0 run as they hit their first three shots from the field and Winston-Salem State eventually opened up a 19-point advantage with 7:31 remaining in the first half as WSSU took a 32-19 lead into halftime.
Leading by 13 points, the Rams looked to be in complete control before Norfolk State, behind the play of DeLoach cut the Rams' advantage to as little as three points, on three separate occasions, in the second half.
Despite a charge by DeLoach and the Spartans, a charge in which DeLoach would record his 1,000th career point at Norfolk State, the Rams would never surrender their lead.
DeLoach finished the contest with a game-high 25 points in the loss as he led two NSU players in double-figures.
WSSU was led by Jamal Durham who recorded a team-high 16 points in the victory. Joining Durham in double figures, junior guard Brian Fisher chipped in with 10 points.
With the win the Rams improve to 8-18 overall while the Spartans fall to 8-17 (6-7 MEAC) on the season with the loss.
Winston-Salem State University returns to action on Saturday, Feb. 28 as they play host to Florida A&M University at the Joel Coliseum as the Rams look to complete a season sweep of the Rattlers.
For additional information on WSSU men's basketball, contact the WSSU Office of Athletic Media Relations at (336) 750-2143 or log onto the Official Website of WSSU Athletics at WSSURams.com.
