WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Winston-Salem State University men's basketball team continues Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) play tomorrow, January 18th traveling to Claflin before hosting Fayetteville State on Saturday, January 21st.

Things to Know – Wednesday
Location: Orangeburg, SC Jonas T. Kennedy Health, and Wellness Center (Tullis Area)
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Media: Watch
Record: 12-3 (4-3 CIAA)
 
Things to Know- Saturday
Location: Winston-Salem N.C. (C.E Gaines Center)
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Theme: Camo Day
Media: Live Stats |Watch
Record: 10-9 (5-2 CIAA)
 
Series
Dating back to 2015, WSSU leads the series 5-4. WSSU won the last matchup 82-76 on February 10, 2022.
 
Against FSU, dating back to 2006, WSSU leads the series 20-7. The Rams won the last contest 65-64 on February 12, 2022.
 
Last Time Out
The Rams defeated St. Augustine on January 14th, 76-56. Samage Teel led all scorers with 21 points, while Jaylon Gibson added 18 points and nine rebounds. Isaac Parson and Jaylen Alston scored 12 points each. Jaylen Alston was also perfect from the line going 4-for-4.
 
Ram Returners:
The Rams brought back ten returners from last year's team, sophomores, Stefon Mcleod, Abnar Muhammad, Ralph Bland, redshirt sophomores Samage Teel, and Isaac Parson, junior Jaylen Alston, and seniors Jonathan Hicklin, Xavier Fennell, DyQuavis Wilkins, and Jaylin Parker.
 
Ram Newcomers:
The Rams welcomed freshman Jeremy Dixon, Jarius Northam, Ketron "KC" Shaw, junior Jaylon Gibson, and graduate student Nathan Springs during the off-season.
 
CIAA Preseason:
Jonathan Hicklin and Isaac Parson were named to the All-CIAA preseason team Backcourt and Nathan Springs was named to the All-CIAA Frontcourt team. Overall, the Rams were selected to finish third in the season and second in the Southern Division.
 
CIAA Weekly Awards:

• For week five, Jaylon Gibson was named the CIAA Player of the Week after scoring 25 points in the victory over Clark Atlanta. He also had 11 rebounds and shot 9-of-14 from the field.

CIAA Top-Ten Stats as of 1-17

• The Rams are seventh in the league in offense, averaging 72.5 points a game.
• They are ranked second in defense, only allowing 62.4 points a game.
• Jaylon Gibson is ranked seventh in scoring, averaging 13.9 points a game. He is also seventh in rebounding (7.0) per game. He's first in field goal percentage (.593) and tenth in blocked shots (0.8).
• Jaylen Alston is ranked fifth in rebounding (7.2). He's fourth in free throw percentage (.775).
• Samage Teel is tenth in free throw percentage (.719). He's also sixth in assists (3.1) and fifth in steals (1.8).

 
HBCU Watchlist
Jon Hicklin was named to the 2023 HBCU All-Star game watchlist. The game is slated for April 2nd in Houston, Texas.

Scouting Report
Claflin University lost to Livingstone College on January 14th. The Panthers were led by Jailen Williams led the way with a double-double of 25 points, 10 rebounds, and four steals. Allen Hatchett added 22 points with four rebounds while center Timothy McElroy added 21 points with 12 rebounds. Shamarie McLeod added 12 points.
 
Fayetteville State will play Livingstone College on January 18th. The Broncos beat Johnson C. University on January 14th, 44-43.