BALTIMORE – A big second-half run helped No. 5 seed Winston-Salem State reclaim control and defeat No. 6 seed Lincoln (Pa.) 62-57 for the CIAA Men's Title at CFG Bank Arena on Saturday.
The title is the 13^th in the Rams' storied basketball history, including two under Head Coach Cleo Hill Jr.  The win also earned the Rams (21-8 overall) an automatic bid to the NCAA Division II playoffs in the Atlantic Region.

Led by 14 points from Samage Teel and 11 each from Jaylon Gibson and Jon Hicklin, the Rams staved off a late comeback from a feisty Lincoln team that was playing in its first ever CIAA Tourney finals.

After falling behind by double digits at halftime, the Lions outscored the Rams 16-5 to knot the score at 34-34 midway in the second half. The Rams were not deterred by the rally as they put together a 17-8 run of their own for a 51-42 lead with 1:29 left.

That run ultimately was the difference but not before the Lions put another scare in the Rams. Bakir Cleveland made one of two free throws as Lincoln climbed within 56-52 with 34 seconds left. Korey Williams later connected on a deep three-pointer to cut the deficit even further to 60-57 with one second left but Teel, the hero in the semifinal win over Virginia Union, made both free throws for the final margin.

Jaylen Alston, named Food Lion Tournament MVP, and Xavier Fennell both added eight points for the Rams, who outrebounded the Lions 47-26 including a 16-5 advantage on the offensive boards. Both teams shot 35 percent from the floor but the Rams made 26 of 43 free throws compared to 14 of 17 for the Lions.
Lincoln placed three scorers in double figures led by 14 points from Reggie Hudson. Williams added 12 points and Freddie Young, Jr. contributed 11 points off the bench for the Lions, who scored 15 points off 20 WSSU turnovers.

The Rams relied on one a first-half run to enter halftime ahead 29-18. The Lions stayed close early, but the Rams scored 12 straight points late in the half for a 27-12 lead.
The Lions sliced the deficit to 11 at halftime and continued their run in the second half as they pulled even at 34-34 before the Rams made their key run.

Teel paced the Rams with eight first-half points. Alston and Hicklin each added five points and Nathan Springs snatched five rebounds for WSSU, which outrebounded Lincoln 27-12 including a 10-3 advantage on the offensive boards.

Bakir Cleveland scored five points for the Lions, who shot 22.2 percent in the opening 20 minutes. Korey Williams grabbed five rebounds.

The WSSU trio of Alston, Gibson and Teel were named to the CIAA Men's All-Tournament Team. Below is the a list of All-Tourney players.
Tre Richardson (Elizabeth City State)
Kaleb Coleman (Fayetteville State)
Bakir Cleveland (Lincoln, Pa.)
Reggie Hudson (Lincoln, Pa.)
Jamari Roberts (Shaw)
Robert Osborne (Virginia Union)
Keleaf Tate (Virginia Union)
Jaylen Alston (Winston-Salem State)
Jaylon Gibson (Winston-Salem State)
Samage Teel (Winston-Salem State)
Food Lion Tournament MVP: Jaylen Alston
 
CIAA Sportsmanship Award: Shaw University