Jan. 10, 2011

Box Score

BOWIE, MD - The Winston-Salem State Rams (8-2, 2-1 CIAA) fell short in a tough 86-76 loss at Bowie State (7-2, 2-0 CIAA), Monday evening. Though the Rams had a great shooting effort in the game, the team struggled to stop the Bowie State offense that scored 86 points against the usually tough WSSU defense.

The Rams had no problems making shots with a scorching hot 52.9% shooting percentage in the game, but 19 WSSU turnovers and just 51 shot attempts kept the points off the scoreboard for the Rams. The Rams' bench powered the effort, as the unit outscored the starters 40-36 in the game. Redshirt-junior guard Dominic Alston led the WSSU attack with 16 points in the game. Sophomore guard Marcus Wells and redshirt-sophomore forward Stephon Platt added 12 points each in the game. Redshirt-senior guard Shelton Carter was the only WSSU starter to reach double-digit scoring with 13 points in the game.

The Rams got off to a great start to the game when a lay-up by senior guard Andrew Jackson capped a 6-0 WSSU run to open the game. The team's hot start wouldn't last however, as the Bulldogs battled their way back into the game with a 13-4 run that left the Rams trailing, 13-10 with 13:57 left in the half. The Rams were able to bounce back and remained in control of the game for much of the half, but a late run by the Bulldogs, including a three-pointer with just six seconds left to play sent the Rams into the locker room trailing 46-40.

The battle between the two teams continued in the second half, but the Rams were never able to overcome, as a jumper by Platt at the 15:46 mark capped a 12-4 run and gave WSSU its only lead of the half, 52-50, but surge would not last as a WSSU drought put the Rams into a 66-54 deficit that the team never recovered from. The Rams would continue their fight, however, as a Carter free throw at the 1:14 mark pulled the Rams within three-points of the Bulldogs, 76-73, but it was as close as the Rams would come. The Bulldogs would hit the critical free throws needed down the stretch and sent the Rams home with their first CIAA loss of the season.

The loss drops the Rams to 8-2 for the season and 2-1 in the CIAA. After four straight road games in the last week, the Rams will return home, Thursday when the team hosts the Chowan Hawks. For more information on Rams basketball, contact the WSSU Office of Athletic Media Relations at (336) 750-2143 or log on to www.WSSURams.com.