WINSTON-SALEM, NC –  The James Wilhelmi era of Winston-Salem State University basketball opened with bang Saturday night, as the Rams sprinted past Allen University, 102-90 in a game played in Whitaker Gym on the WSSU campus.

Javan Wells scored 20 points to lead five Rams in double figure scoring, while WyKevin Bazemore was his usual self, pulling down a game high 12 rebounds in the win.

It didn't take WSSU long to give the Fighting Yellow Jackets the "shock and awe" treatment, as the Rams quickly jumped out 20-5 lead.

Winston-Salem State would maintain that double figure lead throughout much of the first half, until late, when the fighting Yellow Jackets would use a 16-10 run over the last 5:49 of the half, to cut into the Rams lead at 45-38 heading into halftime.

WSSU would regroup coming out of the locker room at the half, and seemed to find their stride once again, as they used their full court smothering defense to push the lead out to a game high 22 points with 11:23 left to play, at 71-49.

The Rams would continue to pressure Allen University into turnovers and bad shots, and Winston-Salem State would maintain their big advantage.

But the pesky Fighting Yellow Jackets would not go away easy, and would chip into the WSSU lead, but could not get any closer than 12 points, and the Rams would finish off the first win for coach James Wilhelmi, with a 102-90 victory.

Javan Wells paced the Rams with 20 points, two assists and a steal, while Terrell Leach added 17 points, three re bounds and an assist. WyKevin Bazemore picked up a double-double with 15 points, 12 rebounds and five steals, and Marquez Jones added 14 points, two rebounds, three assists and two steals. Donta Harper chipped in 11 points, three rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block. Stacy Caroway finished with nine points, five rebounds, two steal, one block and one assists. C.J. added five points, three steals and two assists, while Muhammad Tijani added four points and Dedric Byrd also added four points and three rebounds.

For Allen University, Mark Jones and Emaray Johnson each scored 16 points, with William McGuire adding 15 points and five rebounds. William McDuffie finished with 12 points for the Fighting Yellow Jackets. Jones also had five rebounds and three assists.

Winston-Salem State will travel to USC Aiken, next Friday and Saturday, as they will take on Columbus State on Friday night at 5:00 and will face USC Aiken at 7:00 pm on Saturday night.