March 5, 2009
Final Stats
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Senior night at the C.E. Gaines Center on the campus of Winston-Salem State University was bittersweet for senior forward Jamal Durham. Playing in the last home game of his college career, Durham recorded a team-high 16 points and led four WSSU players in doubles-figures, but it was not enough as visiting South Carolina State downed the Rams 86-73.
The Rams and Bulldogs put together an offensive showcase in the first 20 minutes of play as both teams scorched the nets by shooting 55.9 percent from the field as both teams hit 19 of their 34 field goal attempts and combined to score 88 first-half points.
A period of play that saw the game tied eight times and saw the lead change hands on nine occasions, WSSU and South Carolina State jockeyed for control of a game that would remain close until the final five minutes of the contest.
Trailing by five at 75-70 with 4:07 remaining in the contest, the Rams allowed the Bulldogs to close the contest on an 11-3 run as South Carolina State turned a five-point contest into a 13-point regular-season closing victory.
Durham led the Rams with 16 points in the contest as he was one of four WSSU players to record double-digit point totals in the game. Joining Durham in double-figures, Jamarcus McClinton recorded 14 points, Brian Fisher tallied 11 points and Isiah Tucker added 10 in a losing effort.
Jason Johnson led the Bulldogs with 22 points as he led four South Carolina State players in double digits. Joining Johnson in double-figures was Jason Flagler with 18 points, Jimmy Williams with 16 points and Josh Jackson who recorded 12 points in the victory.
The loss drops the Rams to 8-21 on the season overall while South Carolina State University improves to 16-13 overall (10-6 MEAC) with the victory.
Winston-Salem State University will close out the 2008-09 regular season on Saturday, March 14 at 3:30 p.m. as they face the Eagles of North Carolina Central University in the “Bonus Game” of the 2009 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Championship at the Joel Coliseum in Winston-Salem, N.C.
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.
