Winston-Salem State's men's basketball team fought off a second-half St. Augustine's rally and claimed its fourth consecutive victory 61-58.  Playing before an empty Emery Gym because of COVID, 'SU improved to 10-4 overall and 4-2 in CIAA play.

Javonte Cooke returned from a three-game absence to lead the Rams in scoring with 22 points. Cooke was on fire from the three-point line, connecting on 5-9 shots.  Isaac Parson continued his double-digit scoring streak with 12 points and was the leading WSSU rebounder with eight.  Cameron Cook added 11 points, hitting 4-8 field goals and 3-6 from beyond the arc.

The Rams shot 51.2% from the field and hit 10-21 three-point goals for 47.6%.  Each team had 11 turnovers, but WSSU turned the Falcons miscues into 19 points while St. Aug. could only manage six points.  Eight offensive rebounds led to seven second-chance points for 'SU.  The Falcons had only two offensive rebounds and no second-chance points.

WSSU began the second half with five straight scores, doubling the nine-point halftime lead to 18 points, 38-20 before the Falcons could score.  Parson led the rally, scoring seven of 'SU's first nine points.

The Rams maintained a double-digit lead until the 6:48 mark in the half.  St. Aug rallied to cut its deficit to 47-41, but the Rams went up by 11 points with 3:03 remaining on Cameron Campbell's three-pointer. The Falcons continued the battle, cutting their deficit to five points with 15 seconds remaining. A Falcon layup with three seconds left was the final basket in the game.

WSSU returns to the C. E. Gaines Center Wednesday, January 19, for CIAA Southern Division game against Claflin.  The Rams travel to division-leading Fayetteville State next Saturday, January 22.  That game is scheduled to be broadcast on WSNC 90.5 FM and live-streamed on the CIAA Sports Network.