CHARLOTTE, NC – Winston-Salem State had four players score in double figures, but it was not enough to outlast a strong Johnson C. Smith finish, as the Rams would fall to the Golden Bulls, 76-71, Wednesday night at Brayboy Gym on the JCSU campus.

With the loss, WSSU falls to 11-15 overall, 5-10 in the CIAA and 4-5 in the important CIAA Southern Division. Johnson C. Smith improves to 13-11 overall, 8-7 in the CIAA and 6-3 in the Southern Division.

The Rams started strong in the hostile environment of Brayboy Gym, jumping out to a 7-2 advantage.

But Johnson C. Smith battled back to take the lead and would push their advantage to as many as five points, before WSSU would surge back ahead, 26-25 with 5:28 before halftime.

Carlos Rankins would tie the game on a layup with 1:25 on the clock, and a Rayvon Harris free throw would give the Rams a slight 34-33 lead, before the Golden Bulls hit a three to take a 36-34 halftime lead.

Winston-Salem State ripped off 14-0 run to open the second half, led by C.J. Ford, Terrell leach and T.J. Wilson, to lead the Golden Bulls 48-36 with 16 minutes to play.

The Golden Bulls then began to slowly walk the Rams down, and would tie the game at 56-56 with 9:02 left to play.

WSSU would gather themselves and would go up six, sparked by a William Crandell layup, two Rayvon Harris free throws and a 3-pointer from Terrell Leach to lead 68-62 with 3:43 left.

Johnson C . Smith would out score the Rams 14-3 over the final minutes, including knocking down 5 of 6 free throws in the final minute to secure the 76-71 win over WSSU.

WSSU out rebounded the Golden Bulls, 41-35, but lost the turnover battle, as WSSU committed 15 to JCSU's 12.

Winston-Salem State was led in scoring by freshman William Crandell, who finished with 18 points and nine rebounds, and C.J. Ford added 15 points, three rebounds and two steals. Terrell Leach scored 10 points, pulled down eight rebounds, had two steals and two assists and Rayvon Harris also added 10 points and collected three rebounds. Carlos Rankins chipped in nine points and three rebounds.

WSSU now sits in fourth place in the CIAA Southern Division with one game left to play. The Rams have a one game lead over Livingstone and Fayetteville State. Saturday's matchup will determine where the Rams finish and when they will play next week in the CIAA Tournament.

WSSU will wrap up the regular season on Saturday, when the Rams will honor their seniors, and host the Livingstone Blue Bears. Tipoff is scheduled for 2:00pm.