DOVER,Del. -- The Winston-Salem State University Rams looked to have their fourth win of the season wrapped up before a late 5-0 run over the final 38 seconds of play propelled the Hornets of Delaware State University to a heartbreaking 49-48 victory over WSSU on Saturday afternoon at Memorial Hall in Dover, Delaware as WSSU fell to 3-9 on the season.
WSSU, on the road again for the fourth time in their last five game, came out of the locker room flying as back-to-back field goals by Shelton Carter and Paul Davis gave the Rams an early 4-0 lead, an advantage that the Rams held for over 35 minutes.
The Rams, away from the friendly confines of the C.E. Gaines Center, held the potent offense of the Hornets to a mere 18 points during the first 20 minutes of play as Head Coach Bobby Collins' team executed a slow-down game plan that held DSU 7-of-23 shooting in the first period.
On the heels of the 30.4 percent shooting performance, the Rams opened up a 27-18 lead headed into the locker room at halftime as WSSU hit 11 of their 22 field goals during the game's first 20 minutes.
Second-half action was more of the same for the Rams as WSSU increased their lead to a game-high 10 points mere seconds into the final half of play as freshman sensation Marcus Wells' free throw only 23 seconds into the final period of play gave Winston-Salem State a lead which seemed insurmountable.
Despite an aggressive DSU offense and stingy Hornet defense, the Rams continued to hold control of the contest inside of the final minute of play before the gods of college basketball smiled upon the home team and dashed the hopes of the visiting Rams.
"We put ourselves in position to win on the road and what more can we ask?" WSSU head coach Bobby Collins commented postgame. "We have our best free throw shooter on the line to hit a one-and-one that will ice the game and it just doesn't work out," Collins added. "That is college basketball...that happens, but I would have liked to have this one today to reward the effort of our young men."
Leading 48-44 with only 38 seconds remaining in the game, the Hornets looked to be vanquished in their effort to hold court, before incredible circumstances led them to victory.
Chad Wilson's deep three-pointer and Obaba Odd's layup in the game's waning moments would prove to be the back-breaker for the Rams as heartbreak was thrust upon the young Rams.
"[DSU head coach] Greg Jackson and I go to the buzzer every time and this was no different," Bobby Collins said. "It is a rough way to lose a game but it shows the improvement of our program. We are building something special here and against one of the historic programs in the MEAC we are able to dictate our offense and play a great game. It just goes to show how far our program and our student athletes have matured and grown over the past few seasons. It just reinforces the fact that we have built a program that will endure the challenges yet to come," Collins added.
The 5-0 run would give the Hornets the 49-48 victory as WSSU fell to 3-9 on the season, while Delaware State moves to 5-7 with the win.
WSSU returns to action on Monday evening at Maryland-Eastern Shore at 7:30 p.m. as they face the Hawks in conference action.
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.
