WINSTON-SALEM, NC – Keith Armstrong had a double-double, but the Winston-Salem State Rams could not hold on to late lead and fell 59-53 to the visiting Bowie State Bulldogs on Wednesday night at CE Gaines Center.

The loss drops the WSSU Rams to 6-10 overall and 0-5 in the CIAA, while the Bowie State Bulldogs improve to 11-6 overall and 4-2 in the CIAA.

The Winston-Salem State Rams jumped out early on Bowie State and ran out to a 10 point lead at 19-9, before the Bowie State Bulldogs finished the half on fire, using a 17-5 run to close out the half and take a 26-24 lead into halftime.

The Rams started the second half sluggish, and allowed the Bulldogs to push their lead to nine points at 34-25 with 16:45 left in the game.

But WSSU would battle back, and would use a 14-3 run to retake the lead at 39-37 with 11:30 left to play.

The game would go back and forth, with neither team able to separate from the other, and with 4:38 left, a CJ Ford jumper tied the game at 48-48.

Then the Rams would go cold, and Bowie State outscored WSSU 11-5 down the stretch to come away with the 59-53 win over Winston-Salem State University.

Winston-Salem State was led in scoring by Keith Armstrong, who poured in 12 points and pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds. CJ Ford added 11 points and three rebounds, and Terrell Leach chipped in 10 points.

Bowie State was led by Justin Beck who scored a game-high 19 points and five rebounds, and Michael Briscoe added 10 points Andre Jacked chipped in nine points and Julian Livingston pulled down eight rebounds.

Winston-Salem State will host the Falcons of St. Augustine's University to start Southern Division play, Saturday at 4:00pm.

Stat Sheet
WSSU shot just 33% from the field and 58% from the free throw line on the night.