March 1, 2010

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WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman outscored Winston-Salem State 38-21 in the second half en route to handing the Rams a 66-45 defeat at the C.E. Gaines Center on Monday evening in Winston-Salem, N.C. as the Wildcats spoiled WSSU's senior night.

The Wildcats used a 50 percent shooting outburst over the game's final 20 minutes of play and outscored WSSU by 17 points in the game's final period as they turned a four-point halftime advantage into a 21-point road victory.

Winston-Salem State's pair of senior guards, Brian Fisher and Brandon Hobbs, playing in the final home game of their WSSU careers combined to score only two points as the Rams had difficulty with the Wildcats size and inside scoring prowess.

Despite being held to only 38 percent shooting in the first half, the Rams would trail the visiting Wildcats by only four points at the halftime intermission as Bethune-Cookman held a slim 28-24 advantage after 20 minutes of play.

Lamar Monger and Shelton Carter combined to score 12 of their 15 total points in the first half as the Rams weathered a feverish offensive charge by the Wildcats.

Second half action would see Bethune-Cookman's inside game take its toll on the Rams as the Wildcats scored 22 points in the paint en route to a 50 percent shooting display as they pushed their lead to a game-high 21 points a lead from which the Rams were never able to recover.

“I am extremely disappointed in our performance tonight.  Our fans didn't deserve that” WSSU head coach Bobby Collins said. “I have no answer for why we lost our fire.  We had no answer for anything tonight” Collins added.

The Rams were led by Lamar Monger who paced all WSSU scorers with nine points in the loss.  Andrew Jackson recorded eight points and Shelton Carter and Paul Davis chipped in with six points each in the defeat.

Bethune-Cookman was led by CJ Reed who recorded 14 points as he led a pair of Wildcats into double-figures.  Alexander Starling added 13 points and three rebounds for the Wildcats.

The loss drops the Rams to 11-17 overall on the season while Bethune-Cookman improves to 16-14 with the victory.

Winston-Salem State returns to action on Thursday, March 4 as they close out the 2009-10 season in Orangeburg, S.C. as they face the Bulldogs of South Carolina State University at 7:30 p.m.

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.