WINGATE, NC - The Winston-Salem State University Rams survived 14 lead changes and nine tied scores, as they remained undefeated in scoring an impressive 68-66 win over Wingate University at Cuddy Arena on the Wingate campus.
Winston-Salem State, one of only 14 undefeated teams remaining in DII, moves to 6-0, while Wingate University falls to 3-7.
Justin Glover led the Rams with 13 points and six rebounds, while Joseph Thompson added 11 points and seven boards. LaMar Monger and William Peay each added eight points, while Peay also chipped in three assists, two rebounds and two steals. Michael Bland pulled down a team high eight rebounds and added six points.
The Rams held the edge in points in the paint with a 38-25 advantage, while also dominating bench point at 32-13. One of the telling tales of the night was WSSU's 22-13 advantage in points off of turnovers, and the Rams 39-33 rebounding edge.
Wingate was led by Jaime Vaughn's 26 points, and Paidrick Matilus added 13.
After a back and forth first half that saw each team hold the lead, Wingate would go on an 11-0 run to push their lead to four, but Winston-Salem State would reverse the course through its defensive efforts, and finished the first half on a 15-3 run, to take a 37-31 lead to the locker room.
The Rams would continue their way with the Bulldogs, and after a WSSU steal and a Justin Glover fast break lay-up, WSSU would hold their largest lead of nine points at 47-38.
But the home team was not going to go away easy, and Wingate would answer with their own 16-4 run to erase the WSSU lead and put the Bulldogs back on top, 54-51.
Once again Justin Glover would step up for the Rams as his three-pointer with 5:42 remaining tied the score.
The game returned to tits back and forth play, with neither team being able to hold more than a two point advantage.
Joseph Thompson's game winning shot came with 1:19 left, and the WSSU Rams were able to hold off the Bulldogs in the final seconds, with Marcus Wells coming away with a steal with two second left to preserve the win.
Winston-Salem State will travel to Knoxville, Tenn., on Monday night to face Tusculum University.
