ELIZABETH CITY, NC – The Winston-Salem State University Rams (7-8, 5-2 CIAA) claimed a much-needed 64-61 win over the Elizabeth City State Vikings (10-7, 3-4 CIAA), Thursday evening. After losing to the Vikings in their last eight meetings, the Rams made some clutch plays late to take the road victory.

The Rams had to put on one of their best overall performances of the season to claim the win as the two teams faced off in a tense, hard-fought game. As a team, the Rams shot a solid 44.7% (21-of-47) from the floor in the game, including going eight-for-21 from the three-point line (42.1%). WSSU senior guard Robert Colon led the way for the Rams with 22 points and seven rebounds in the game. Sophomore guard Jonathan Hicklin added eight points and seven rebounds along with senior guard Dontae Caldwell, who also added eight points.

The first half was a competitive one with both teams putting on an inspired effort. In the early going, both teams went back and forth trading leads, but neither team went ahead by more than four points. The two teams stood tied 18-18 with 9:49 left to play in the period. From there, the competitive play continued until senior guard Julius Barnes hit a lay-up with 4:00 left to play that gave the Rams a 29-27 lead. From there, the Rams would not let go of their lead for the remainder of the half. A Caldwell lay-up with 1:25 left to play gave the Rams their largest lead of the half, 34-27. From there, the Rams had to play some tough defense to remain in control of the game. The Rams clamped down and only allowed one more field goal to the Vikings and took a 34-29 lead into the locker room at the half.

In the second half, the Rams held on to their lead from the beginning to the end of the period, but the team had to work hard to do it. A lay-up from senior forward Mason Harrell gave the Rams a 45-40 lead, but the team allowed the Vikings to trim the WSSU lead down to just one point, 49-48, after a pair of ECSU free throws with 9:11 left to play. From there, the Rams scored seven straight points to go ahead, 56-48 after a three-pointer from junior guard Justice Kithcart with 7:15 left to play. From there, the Rams had to fend off another rally by the Vikings that tied the game, 56-56 with 4:44 left to play. But a Colon three-pointer with 3:35 left to play left the Rams on top, 59-56. In the final minutes of the game, it was the defensive effort by the two teams that took center stage. After a pair of free throws from sophomore guard Jaylen Alston with 00:54 left to play left the Rams on top, 64-61, the two teams would not allow another score for the remainder of the game and allowed the Rams to come away with the victory. Both teams had key blocks in the final minute of the game as the Rams closed the game with the win.

With the win, the Rams improve to 7-8 and 5-2 in Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) play. The Rams will return to action, Monday, when the team returns home to host the Claflin Panthers in a CIAA Southern Division game that features the top two teams in the division. For more information on Rams men's basketball, contact the WSSU Office of Athletic Media Relations at (336) 750-2143 or log on to www.WSSURams.com.