WINSTON-SALEM, NC – Winston-Salem State had five players score in double figures, and the Rams erased a nine point half time deficit by outscoring the Livingstone Blue Bears by 18 points in the second half, in route to a 89-80 Southern Division win on Saturday night at the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

With the win WSSU moves into a tie for first in the CIAA's Southern Division. Winston-Salem State improves to 13-6 overall, 6-4 in the CIAA and 3-1 in the Southern Division. Livingstone falls to 13-7 overall, 7-4 overall and 3-1 in the Southern Division.

In the first half, the Livingstone College Blue Bears jumped out early on the Rams and eight minutes into the game held an 18-10 advantage over WSSU.

Winston-Salem State would creep back into the game, but the Blue Bears would use a 25-6 run over the final five minutes to take a 46-37 lead into the locker room at the half.

Winston-Salem State would waste no time regrouping and making it a game, as the second half begun.

WyKevin Bazemore , Javan Wells and Donta Harper got the Rams off quickly, and a driving layup and free throw from Terrell Leach tied the game at 48-48 with just over 17 minutes to go.

Over the next several minutes, WSSU got big contributions from a number of players, but Donta Harper came alive and carried the team with big shot after big shot.

WSSU would retake the lead at 59-57, with 11 minutes left to play, and would never look back.

The Rams lead would balloon to 13 points twice, and coming down the stretch of the game, WSSU would secure the win with some crucial free throws.

Winston-Salem State was led in scoring by Donta Harper, who turned in his best night as a Ram with 20 points, to go with four rebounds and two assists. Javan Wells also added 20 points to go with five rebounds, while WyKevin Bazemore added 17 points and 13 assists. Bazemore also had three blocks, two steals and two assists. CJ Ford and Kerry Campbell each chipped in 10 points, while Ford also added five rebounds, two assists and two steals. Campbell also finished with two steals. Terrell Leach finished with eight points, two rebounds, two steals and an assist.

Livingstone College was led in scoring by Daryl Traynham, who came off the bench to score 16 points, while Ty Newman added 15 points and seven rebounds. Eric Dubose finished with 14 points, five rebounds and five assists, and Hakeem Jackson added 12 points. Eric Mayo chipped in nine points and pulled down 11 rebounds.