WINSTON-SALEM, NC –  Winston-Salem State rode the momentum of an exciting night, as the Rams outscored the Falcons, 44-35 in the second half, en route to a 78-74 home win on Saturday night at the CE Gaines Center.

Winston-Salem State honored a great team from the past, the 1967 National Championship Team, along with retiring the jerysey's of greats, Earl "The Pearl" Monroe and Cleo Hill as the Rams hitch their wagon to the excitement of the Gaines Center as they were bale to come away with the win.

With the win, WSSU moves to 10-12 overall, 5-7 in the CIAA and 3-3 in the Southern Division.  St. Augustine's falls to 10-12 overall, 4-8 in the CIAA and 1-5 in the Southern Division.

St. Augustine's scored the game's first basket, and used that to get on a roll, in the first half, and took their largest half lead, at six points, with 6:01 to play in the first half.

The second half was all WSSU Rams, as they turned up the intensity on the defensive end, and made shots on the offensive end to get back into the game by the midway point.

The Falcons would hold off the Rams coming to the end of the half, and took a five point lead into the locker room, at 39-34.

WSSU trailed 43-36 with 16:51 remaining, but went on a run, 16-9, to tie the game at 52-52, before freshman phenom, Robert Colon, and Ameer Jackson got hot from behind the three point line.

Quincy January and Anthony Gaskins tried to keep St. Augustine's close, the it was the Rams shock and awe defense that would get the last laugh.

WSSU's Xavier Mills would connect on two free throws with in the last few seconds, to seal the game for Winston-Salem State, 78-74.

The scored was tied five times, and the lead changed hands nine different times on Saturday evening.

Winston-Salem State was in scoring by William Crandell, who finished with a game-high 24 points and also pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds.  Ameer Jackson found his jumper, and added 19 points and two steals, while Robert Colon chipped in 15 points, three assists and two steals.

St. Augustine's was led by Quincy Janaury, who scored 21 points and pulled down nine rebounds, and Anthony Gaskins added 18 points. Jquwan Ruffin chipped in 13 points for the visitors.