WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - It was a long time coming but worth the wait as Winston-Salem State stormed from 13 points down to a huge CIAA Southern Division win over Livingstone, 76-70, in a wild C.E. Gaines Center.  The Rams didn't claim their first lead until Javonte Cooke hit a thundering dunk with 2:46 to play, giving 'SU a 68-66 advantage before a rockin' Gaines Center crowd.

The Rams defense clamped down on Livingstone's leading scorer, Darus Maddox, forcing him to miss his next three shots as 'SU increased its lead on Jonathan Hicklin's layup with 1:52 to go and a goal-rattling dunk by Xavier Fennell 22 seconds later to up WSSU's lead to 72-66.

Hicklin connected on a pair of free throws with 50 seconds on the clock for a 74-66 lead, Cooke hit a free throw with 36 seconds to play, and the Blue Bears could only answer with the game's final basket with three seconds remaining.

The WSSU defense was simply dominant in the game's final 5:20, holding the Blue Bears to a mere two points.

The victory was the Rams seventh in the last eight games and moved 'SU into a Southern Division first-place tie with Livingstone.  WSSU is now 13-5 overall, 7-3 in CIAA play, and 4-1 in the division.

Cooke paced the Rams with 24 points. Isaac Parson, who sat out most of the first half with two fouls, scored 17 points, including 15 in the second half. Parson hit six of his eight field-goal attempts in the final 20 minutes.  Hicklin finished with 12 points and five rebounds. He grabbed critical rebounds on the offensive and defensive boards and two crucial steals in the game's final three minutes.

Fennell scored nine points and led the Rams with seven rebounds.  Samage Teel added seven points, including a layup with 3:01 to play that tied the game at 66.

The Rams shot 56.7% in the second half and finished 31-64 for 48.4%.  'SU converted 22 Blue Bears turnovers into 33 points while Livingstone could only manage 14 points off 11 Rams miscues.  WSSU also dominated in fast breakpoints, 20-4.

WSSU returns to the Gaines Center Monday night with a Covid postponed game against Bowie State.  The tip is scheduled for 7:30. It will be the third game in six days for the Rams.