March 12, 2011

GAME NOTES

WEST LIBERTY, WV - The Winston-Salem State Rams (19-7) will make their return to the post-season, Saturday when the team takes on the Shaw Bears in the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional Tournament. The Rams will have a great opportunity to bounce back after struggling to an emotional 66-63 loss to the Fayetteville State Broncos in the quarterfinals of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) tournament last Thursday, the Rams will look to redeem themselves with a strong showing this weekend.

"We didn't like the way the regular season ended, but fortunately, we've been blessed with the opportunity to compete in the playoffs," WSSU head men's basketball coach Bobby Collins said.

After taking the tough tournament loss, the Rams will have an immediate chance to make a statement as they will take on the CIAA tournament champion Shaw Bears, Saturday. After taking the CIAA Southern Division title in the regular season, the Rams have been given an immediate opportunity to make a statement with a win, Saturday.

"I think this is right. You have the CIAA Southern Division champions taking on the CIAA tournament champions on a neutral court with a chance at advancing towards a national championship on the line," WSSU head men's basketball coach Bobby Collins said.

The Rams will have their work cut out for them when they take on the Bears, who hit their stride last week with three wins in the CIAA tournament behind the stellar play of their backcourt.

"Their guards are playing extremely well right now and when you get to March, you've really got to have good guard play," Collins added. "We've got to contain their dribble penetration and we know they like to get out in transition. But we've also got to contain their passing into the post on the inside. The first time we played them, the post hurt us."

The Rams and Bears are scheduled for an 8:35 p.m. tipoff at the Academic Sports & Recreation Complex on the campus of West Liberty University. The game will be broadcast in the Wheeling, West Virginia area on WLTV-14 and online at http://wlu.nmtvsports.com. The game will also be broadcast on the radio in the Raleigh, N.C. area on WSHA 88.9 FM and online both at ClassicSportsRadio.com and on the Heritage Sports Radio Network at www.HSRN.com.

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.