WINSTON-SALEM, NC -- The Winston-Salem State University Rams snapped a two game loosing streak, and put up a solid defensive effort, while riding the hot hand of Justin Glover in the first half, in route to a 68-56 win over Johnson C. Smith, Saturday night in the CE Gaines Center.
With the win, WSSU improves to 18-6 overall, 10-4 in the CIAA, and 4-4 in the Southern Division. Johnson C. Smith, who has now lost five consecutive games, falls to 10-14 overall, 5-9 in the CIAA, and 3-5 in the Southern Division.
The two teams split the regular season, with each team winning on its own home floor.
The WSSU got going early as Wykevin Bazemore took a baseline pass and dunked hard over a Golden Bull defender to give Winston-Salem State the lead, and put the Rams fans on their boisterous feet to start.
Winston-Salem State would use a 7-0 run over the next two minutes to push their lead to 12-6, highlighted by five points from Justin Glover and an inside jump hook from Joseph Thompson.
But the Golden Bulls settled themselves and went on a run of their won to get back into the game. Johnson C. Smith would take a 23-22 lead with six minutes left in the first half.
The Rams would answer, led by the hot shooting of Justin Glover who had 17 first half points,and WSSU would outscore Johnson C. Smith 16-9 to close the half, and take a 38-32 lead into the locker room.
WSSU shot a blistering 50% from the floor in the first half, including 40% from behind the three point arc. And although the Golden Bulls shot and even better 58% from the floor, the Rams held Johnson C. Smith to just one of six from the 3-pt arc.
Over the first five minutes of the second half, neither team could get on track, and the game stayed a two possession game.
Then the Rams would go on an extended run of 9-1, led by a Marcus Wells layup, a Wakefield Ellison dunk, and an old school three point play on a Stephon Platt put back and foul shot.
Winton-Salem State would keep its foot on the gas pedal, and opened up their largest lead of 15 points with 7:30 left to play. The Rams would continue with the momentum and close out to game holding the Golden Bulls to just one of 13 from the 3-pt arc, to win the game 68-56.
Justin Glover led the Rams with 19 points, while Marcus Wells added 10 points to go with four assists and one steal. Nequan Melvin and Stephon Platt each poured in nine points, with Melvin also pulling down four rebounds and Platt pulling down three boards. WyKevin Bazemore chipped in seven points while pulling down a game high 12 rebounds.
For Johnson C. Smith, Trevin Parks scored 16 points, while Delonta Boyd added 13 points and eight rebounds. Antwan Wilkerson added 11 points and seven rebounds.
"I thought we did a very good job of defending tonight," said WSSU head coach, Bobby Collins. "We kind of switched things up defensively tonight, and it worked for this type of team, because we were able to contain (Trevin) Parks."
"In the second half, I thought our bigs did an excellent job at attacking and that was the difference in the game," Collins says.
"I thought Stephon Platt, Joseph Thompson and Nequan Melvin all did a good job for us tonight. When they are playing well, and we are able to attack on the inside we are a better team. We have plenty of good perimeter play with Justin Glover, who got us off to a great start in the first half, and Marcus Wells playing well. And what can you say about WyKevin Bazremore, he had an off night and still had seven points and 12 rebounds," added Bobby Collins.
The WSSU Rams will travel to the #9 ranked Shaw Bears on Monday night in Raleigh, NC at 7:30 p.m., and then will close out the regular season next Saturday, February 25th at home hosting the Broncos of Fayetteville State.
