CHARLOTTE, NC – Winston-Salem State got 26 points from Robert Colon, and Xavier Mills tipped in a missed shot with 51 second left in overtime, as the Rams came away from Brayboy Gym with a 72-69 win over Johnson C. Smith in overtime, Wednesday night in Charlotte.
The WSSU Rams improve to 8-10 overall, 4-5 in the CIAA and 2-2 in the Southern Division with the win, while Johnson C. Smith falls to 8-11 overall, 4-5 in the CIAA and 1-2 in the Southern Division.
Early in the contest, the Golden Bulls grabbed the lead, and the Winston-Salem State would be able to stay close, not allowing JCSU to take more than a six point lead.
WSSU would close the half on a 7-5 run to take a 26-25 into the locker room at the half.
Winston-Salem State caught fire in the second half from the floor, behind the hot shooting of Robert Colon, and the inside play of William Crandell.
The Rams would surge ahead 45-42 on a 3-pointer from Colon and a layup from Nate Long to give WSSU a five point lead with 9:11 left to play.
But the Golden Bulls fought back to tie the game, but once again, the Rams Robert Colon came up big with five points in the last minute and half to give the Rams a 61-59 lead with under a minute to play.
Then with 24 second remaining, JCSU's Robert Davis hit a jumper to tie the game at 61-61.
Robert Colon's three-pointer with 9 seconds left came up short, sending the game into overtime.
Winston-Salem State outscored the Golden Bulls 11-8 in the overtime period, with Ameer Jackson hitting four free throws, Colon adding a three-pointer and William Crandell adding a lyup from inside to give the Rams the big 72-69 road win.
It was the rivalry game that everyone came to see, as the game was tied 13 different times, and the lead changed hands 23 times. The WSSU Rams also held a big advantage in bench points, as they outscored the Golden Bulls 32-10.
Robert Colon scored a game high 26 points, while William Crandell added a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Julius Barnes added eight points, and Ameer Jackson chipped in eight points, six rebounds and four assists.
Johnson C. Smith was led by Christian Williams who scored 14 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, and Cayse Minor who also added 14 points and six rebounds. Robert Davis scored 14 points and Gabon Williams chipped in 13 points and 13 rebounds in the loss.
