WINSTON-SALEM, NC -- The #7 ranked WSSU Rams used a strong second half defense and forced 19 total turnovers in route to a 78-69 win over Johnson C. Smith on Wednesday night at the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

With the win, Winston-Salem State moves into a tie for the CIAA's Southern Division lead with a 7-2 record. Overall, the Rams are now 20-4 and 13-2 in the CIAA. Johnson C. Smith falls to 16 overall, 9-6 in the CIAA and 5-4 in the Southern Division.

WSSU jumped out early on the Golden Bulls before the hot shooting of Trevin Parks got Johnson C. Smith back into the ball game.

Both teams held first half leads, and the game was tied six different time before the Rams were able to take control and finish with t a 37-35 lead at halftime.

Winston-Salem State poured it on in the second half, and quickly built a 10 point lead with less than four minutes off the clock. The Rams were able to increase that lead to 13 points twice, lastly with 2:10 remaining in the contest.

A defensive adjustment at halftime by the Rams, switching Justin Glover on Trevin Parks, slowed down the Golden Bulls threat in the second half.

WSSU would be able to keep the Golden Bulls at bay coming down the stretch, and held on for a 78-69 win on Senior Night.

Justin Glover led the Rams with 24 points and three steals, while Wakefield Ellison added 12 points and four rebounds. Marcus Wells had a strong night with 11 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and three steals. WyKevin Bazemore added seven points and seven rebounds, and Joseph Thompson chipped in seven points and three rebounds.

JCSU's Trevin Parks led all scorers with 32 points and six assists, while Emilio Parks (no relation) went for 16 points and six rebounds.

Winston-Salem State University will wrap up the regular season on Saturday evening in Salisbury, NC, when they battle with the Blue Bears of Livingstone College for the #1 seed from the Southern Division for next week's CIAA Tournament.  Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 pm.