ELIZABETH CITY, NC – Winston-Salem State University used a strong team rebounding effort, and Justin Glover's 19 points as the Rams continued their hot CIAA start, with a 63-60 win over Elizabeth City State Saturday night, in Elizabeth City, NC.

With the win, WSSU improves to 12-2 overall, 5-0 in the CIAA's Southern Division.  Elizabeth City State falls to 8-6 overall, 2-2 in the CIAA's Northern Division.

The Rams pounded the backboards all evening, outhustling the Vikings to the tune of 55-36 in rebounding. Most notably WSSU grabbed 22 offensive rebounds for 24 second chance points.

WSSU would control the majority of the first half, and raced out to an early 21-10 lead and eventually would take 26-23 halftime lead into the locker room.

Winston-Salem State would start the second half strong, and would take an eight point lead, before Elizabeth City State would rally from an eight point (49-41) deficit to take a 53-52 lead, their first since the first half, on two free throws by Rondy Tucker.

But the Rams would answer, on a three point play by Justin Glover to put WSSU ahead by two until a layup by Angelo Sharpless tied the game again at 55 with 3:13 left to play.

The final tie of the evening came when Glover sank two free throws at the 2:07 mark to make the score 58-58. When the Vikings' next possession tuned up empty the Rams capitalized with a go-ahead three pointer by Tyre Desmore with 1:21 left.

ECSU's Blake Price converted two free throws with 1:08 remaining to make the score 61-60 in favor of WSSU. After a called timeout on the Rams' next possession, Tyre Desmore would deliver the dagger to the Vikings hopes, with a jumper as the shot clock expired and 17 seconds left to give Winston-Salem State a three point lead.

Desmore would step up on the defensive end of the floor on the final play, blocking a potential game tying three-pointer as the final horn sounded.

Justin Glover led the Rams with 19 points, while also pulling down five rebounds, dishing out two assists and one steal.  WyKevin Bazemore collected another double-double, finishing with 12 points and a game-high 14 rebounds, while Stephon Platt added 10 points and eight rebounds.  Tyre Desmore pumped in seven points, added three rebounds and two assists and a steal.  Marcus Wells contributed six points, five assists, two rebounds and a steal in the win.

Angelo Sharpless led the ECSU Vikings with 18 points and nine rebounds, while Omar Jones added 12 points and Rondy Tucker pitched in 11 points and pulled down seven rebounds.

Winston-Salem State will host the Lincoln University (Pa) Lions at 7:30pm on Monday night in the CE Gaines Center.