AIKEN, SC – The Winston-Salem State University Rams battled back from a 13 point second half deficit, and CJ Ford hit four free throws in the final 30 seconds, as the Rams held off the homestanding Pacers of USC Aiken, 80-76 Saturday night at the Convocation Center on the USC Aiken campus in the final game of the 2014 Tip Off Classic.

With the win, Winston- Salem State University improves to 2-1, while USC Aiken falls to 3-2 on the 2014-15 basketball season.

WSSU started the game hot, and five minutes into the game, had a 10 point lead at 14-4 behind hot shooting from Marquez jones and CJ Ford.

The Rams would maintain their big lead for much of the first half, but USC Aiken would battle back t tie the game at 25-25 with 6:22 on the clock.

But the Pacers would close out the first half with a 13-10 run to take a 38-35 lead into the locker room at the half.

USC Aiken would start the second half blazing, and combined with some cold shooting from the Rams, extended their lead to double digits, and had their largest lead of the game 58-45 with 11:46 to play.

WSSU would come out of the under 12 minute timeout refocused and energized as they turned up the pressure on the defense end, which in turn led to some easy offensive opportunities that the Rams would convert.  By the next media timeout, the Rams had cut the deficit to just one point at 63-62.

The WSSU Rams would regain the lead on two WyKevin Bazemore free throws with 6:12 remaining - lead they would not relinquish.

The Rams played poised coming down the stretch run, as tempers flared and multiple technical would be called on both teams.

But The Rams CJ Ford would put the Rams on his back in the final minutes, as he converted six of eight free throws over the finals minutes to seal the win for Winston-Salem State.

CJ Ford led the Rams with 20 points, while also pulling down five rebounds with one steal, one assist and one blocked shot. Marquez jones added 15 points and three rebounds, and WyKevin Bazemore picked up his third double-double of the young season with 12 points, 13 rebounds, three steals, one blocked shot and one assist. Stacy Caroway added 11 points and six rebounds and one blocked shot off the bench. Javan Wells and Terrell Leach each poured in seven points with Wells also added four rebounds, one steal, one blocked shot and two assists, and Leach adding three rebounds, two steals and an assist. Donta Harper chipped in six points to go with two steals and two blocked shots.

Winston-Salem State's CJ Ford and WyKevin Bazemore were named to the 2014 All-Tip Off Classic team.

For USC Aiken, Andre' Anthony led the way with 20 points and nine rebounds, while Dominic Early added 15 points and nine rebounds. Keith Belfield finished with 13 points and Rashad Lewis chipped in 11 points.

Winston-Salem State will return home for their first game on the new court in the Gaines Center, as they will host Barber-Scotia College at 7:00 pm.