Box Score TAMPA, FLA - The #25 ranked Winston-Salem State men's team lost for the first time this season on Thursday afternoon, losing 75-51 to Eckerd College in the Tampa Classic in Tampa, Fla.
The Rams' Lamar Monger scored the game's first two points and seemed to be the more vocal and energized team.
But early foul trouble for Monger and Justin Glover sent them to the bench, and the Eckerd Tritons took advantage of the cold shooting WSSU Rams, and forcing the Rams into uncharacteristic turnovers and plenty of missed baskets and opportunities.
Eckerd to a 33-24 lead into halftime, by holding Winston-Salem State to 25% shooting (7-28) from the floor and just 22% (2-9) from behind the three point arc.
Through the first 20 minutes, WSSU was held to just six points in the paint, and zero fast break points.
The second half was no better for Winston-Salem State, as the Eckerd College Tritons pushed their lead out to 27 points at one point.
LaMar Monger led the WSSU Rams with 11 points, while Marcus Wells and Kimani Hunt each scored eight. Ricky Perry, Jr came off the bench to add seven points.
"It was one of those games where nothing seemed to go our way early, and it just snowballed," said head coach Bobby Collins.
"We seemed to not have our legs, and our shots were off," Collins added.
"The one good thing is this one is over, and we have a chance to redeem ourselves tomorrow. We need to leave here 8-1 heading into CIAA next week."
The WSSU Rams look to rebound in the Tampa Classic, by playing the host school, Tampa University, at 2:30pm tomorrow. It is the Rams final game of 2011, and Winston-Salem State will open CIAA Conference play on Thursday, January 5th, when they host the Virginia State Trojans at 7:30pm in the CE Gaines Center.
