Box Score WINSTON-SALEM, NC – Winston-Salem State outscored the Panthers of Virginia Union, 9-6 in overtime, as the Rams came away with a 75-72 win at the CE Gaines Center on Monday night.
The win was the fourth in a row for WSSU, and the Rams improve to 11-11 overall and 5-6 in the CIAA. Virginia Union falls to 12-11 overall, and 5-6 in the CIAA. The win also gives WSSU a two game season sweep over the Panthers, as WSSU defeated Virginia Union 82-71 in Richmond, VA on November 27th.
Virginia Union started the games strong, quickly putting the Rams in a 4-0 hole, before T.J. Wilson got WSSU on the board with a midrange jumper.
Terrell Leach pulled WSSU to within three at 8-5, before Virginia Union would go on a run with 13:31 on the clock. The Panthers would score on a layup and extended their lead to 17-8.
The Panthers would keep the pressure on WSSU, and another big run of 12-5, put the Rams down 16 at 29-13 with just under seven minutes before the half.
A Demone Harrison layup with five seconds on clock pulled WSSU to within 10 points, at 36-26 at the half.
Winston-Salem State, playing with head coach James Wilhelmi, who is in Wisconsin with his gravely ill father, refocused at the break and slowly began walking the Panthers down at the start of the second half.
Terrell Leach would tie the game at 47-47 on a three pointer, and on their next possession, C.J. ford would hit from beyond the 3-point circle to give the Rams their first lead of the night at 50-49, with 11:47 left in regulation.
The game would go back and forth until the final seconds, when WSSU's Rayvon Harris would tie the game on a free throw with 18 seconds remaining.
Virginia Union's shot attempt with four seconds on the clock fell short, forcing the overtime period.
Winston-Salem State jumped out quick in overtime, suing a 7-0 run, sparked by two Keith Armstrong free throws, a Rayvon Harris lay-in, and three free throws from C.J. Ford to take a 73-66 lead with just under two minutes remaining.
The Panthers would rally and get to with two with on a three pointer with 27 seconds on the clock.
But Terrell Leach would go to the free throw line with 10 seconds left in the game. He would make one of two, giving WSSU a three point lead with time running down.
Virginia Union would make one last effort to tie the game, but Ray Anderson's long heave would hit the back of he rim and come off long, giving Winston-Salem State the 75-72 win.
WSSU was led in scoring by senior point guard, C.J. Ford, who finished with a game high 19 points, while also pulling down three rebounds. Terrell Leach added 14 points, two rebounds, two assists and a steal, and Keith Armstrong scored 12 points and eight rebounds. William Crandell chipped in 10 points and four rebounds. Rayvon Harris added seven points and T.J. Wilson and Demone Harrison scored five points each.
Virginia Union was paced by Ray Anderson who scored 18 points, four rebounds, four steals and three assists. Danny McElroy added 15 points and John Mitchell finished with 13 points and six rebounds. Tavon Mealy added nine points, eight rebounds and four assists.
Winston-Salem State will travel to Raleigh on Saturday to face the Falcons of St. Augustine's University. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:0pm in Emery Gymnasium on Saturday, Feb. 6.
Stat Sheet
WSSU tied a season high with nine three pointers made on the night.
