WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.- The Winston-Salem State University men's basketball team will return home hosting St. Augustine's University, on Thursday, January 18th.  Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. inside the C.E. Gaines Center.
 
The Rams will then travel to Orangeburg, South Carolina to take on Claflin University, on Saturday, January 20th. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. inside Tullis Arena.
 
Things to Know vs. St. Augustine's University
Location: Winston-Salem, N.C. (C.E. Gaines Center)
Date/Time: Thursday, January 18th |7:30 p.m.
Media: Watch| Live Stats
Theme: Red Out Game
 
Things to Know vs. Claflin University
Location: Orangeburg, S.C. (Tullis Arena)
Date/Time: Saturday, January 20th |4:00 a.m.
Media: Watch|Live Stats
 
Series Information vs. St Augustine's University
Since 2006 this will be the 19th match-up between the Rams and Falcons. The Rams are currently on a six-game winning streak against the Falcons.  The Rams won all three match-ups last season. The Rams won the first match-up 76-56 on January 14, 2023. They then won the second match-up 72-70 on February 4, 2023. On February 22, 2023, they defeated the Falcons 65-49 in the CIAA Tournament.
 
Series Information vs. Claflin University
Since 2015 the series is currently tied 6-6. The Panthers took 2-out-of-3 match-ups last season. The Panthers won the first match-up 69-58 on January 18, 2023. On February 9th, 2023, the Panthers won 71-62. The Rams defeated the Panthers on February 23, 2023, 60-52 to advance to the CIAA Tournament semifinals. 
 
Last Time Out
The Rams fell to Johnson C. Smith University 79-70 on Saturday, January 13th. Jaylen Alston led the Rams with 19 points and six rebounds. Both Imajae Dodd and Jaylin Parker had 12 points, Dodd added nine rebounds.  Isaac Parson scored 11 points and grabbed five rebounds.
 
Rams Returners:
The Rams brought back seven returners from last year's team, sophomores Jeremy Dixon, Ketron "KC Shaw, juniors Ralph Bland, Stefon McLead, Isaac Parson, senior Jaylen Alston, and graduate student Jaylin Parker.
 
Ram Newcomers:
The Rams welcomed newcomers Lance Gill, Myles Pettis, Antonio Perkins, Camyl Witherspoon, Devon Bristow, Daylin Brandon, Tristan Davis, Tyrhe Fortney, Jahnarious Snell, Clint Wickliffe, and Imajae Dodd.
 
CIAA Preseason:
Isaac Parson was named to the All-CIAA preseason team Backcourt and Jaylen Alston was named to the All-CIAA Frontcourt team. Overall, the Rams were selected to finish fourth in the season poll and third in the Southern Division.
 
Weekly Awards

• Jaylen Alston was named CIAA Offensive Player of the Week for week two and three.
• Imajae Dodd was named CIAA Defensive Player of the Week for weeks two, six, and nine.
• Isaac Parson was named HBCU National Player of the Week & CIAA Player of the Week for week nine.

 
D2SIDA Atlantic Regional Poll
The men were ranked 8th in this week's weekly poll.
 
Scouting Report
Winston-Salem State University (11-4, 5-1 CIAA)
The Rams are led in scoring by Jaylen Alston with 17.2 points per game, Isaac Parson with 14.2 points per game, and Imajae Dodd averaging 10.3 per game.  The Rams are averaging 71.1 points a game while allowing 65.7 points.
 
St. Augustine's University (9-8, 4-2 CIAA) 
The Falcons defeated Johnson C.  Smith 86-72 on Monday, January 15th. Nemo Johnson led the Falcons with a double-double 18 points and 10 rebounds, followed by Jordan Love with 13 points and eight rebounds. Jordan Love is the Falcons leading scorer averaging 11.2 points a game, followed by Nemo Johnson with 10.5 points per game. The Falcons are scoring 70.1 points a game.
 
Claflin University (7-6, 4-1 CIAA) (Play Livingstone on Jan. 17)
The Panthers defeated Morris College 102-55 on Saturday, January 13th. Zion Obania led the Panthers with a double-double 17 points and 15 rebounds, followed by DaiJohn Stewart with 16 points and Derrick Sinkler Jr. with 15 points. John Whitehead III is the Panthers leading scorer averaging 12.2 points a game, followed by DaiJohn Stewart with 13.6 points per game and Demarius Wash with 10.2 points a game. The Panthers are averaging 77.1 points per game.
 
Up Next
The Rams will host Shaw University on Wednesday, January 24th. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. inside the C.E. Gaines Center.