CLARION, Pa. – The Winston-Salem State University men's basketball team was victorious in its season opener against Clarion University on Saturday afternoon before falling to No. two IUP Sunday afternoon inside the W.S. Tippin Gymnasium.

The Rams are 1-1 on the season.

How it Happened vs Clarion
On Saturday, the Rams defeated Clarion 66-49 with hot shooting from Isaac Parson and Jaylen Alston who both finished with 16 points. Alston also recorded eight rebounds. Jonathan Hicklin dished in nine points and Jaylon Gibson added eight rebounds of his own.

Clarion opened up the first half on a 9-4 run with 14:38 in the half, but back-to-back jumpers from Samage Teel and a lay-up from Nathan Springs gave the Rams their first lead (10-9) of the night with 11:39 to play. By the under-eight-minute media timeout, the Rams were up six, (17-11) with 7:27 remaining in the half. WSSU finished the half-up 12 (34-22).

Hicklin increased the Rams lead starting the second half with a jumper. With 16 minutes to go the Rams led by 11 on made free throws from Parson. With 13:52 left to play the Rams were up 17 (43-26).

WSSU outscored Clarion 31-27 and finished the half up 16, 65-49 to win the game.

How it Happened vs IUP
In game two of the Clarion Tournament, the Rams fell to #3 IUP 67-50. Jaylen Alston finished with a double-double of 18 points and 13 rebounds. Samage Teel added nine points and four steals, Isaac Parson had eight points, two blocks and three steals and Jaylon Gibson finished with seven rebounds.

The Rams were 19-for-61 from the field compared to IUP's 26-of-58.

IUP opened the game on a 6-0 scoring run before Jaylen Alston hit a jumper with 17:21 left in the half. The Rams tied the game at 8-all with 13:51 to go in the half. IUP then went up 15 to close out the half leading 37-22.

DyQuavis Wilkins hit two free throws to start the scoring for the Rams in the second half, trailing 40-24. A few shots from Jaylen Alston brought the Rams within 17 (48-31) with 15:44 remaining in the game. Isaac Parson and Samage Teel both hit three-pointers to help bring the Rams within three near the 12-minute media timeout. With 9:04 left to play in the game Winston was only down eight (58-46) but could never get over the hump as IUP pulled away and won the game by 16 points (67-50).

Up Next
The Rams will travel on November 16th to Rock Hill, South Carolina to play Clinton College at 7:30 p.m.