Winston-Salem State raced out to a six point halftime lead, and converted some big free throws down the stretch, as the Rams held off he Golden Bulls of Johnson C. Smith, 98-93 on Senior Day at WSSU’s CE Gaines Center.
With the win, WSSU improves is record to 16-8 overall, 9-6 in the CIAA and 7-2 in the Southern Division, and clinches at least a share of the CIAA’s southern Division title. Johnson C. Smith falls to 13-13 overall, 7-8 in the CIAA and 4-5 in the Southern Division.
The Rams scored first in the contest, as William Peay got WSSU going early with a three pointer, but it was the Golden Bulls who would answer right back and would take the lead that they would maintain for the first 10 minutes of the half.
With 10:19 to go before the half, Donta Harper would tie the game at 22-22 on an inside layup, and WyKevin Bazemore would give WSSU the lead on a follow up basket as the Rams would go out in front 24-22.
Johnson C. Smith would surge back ahead and go out in front by five points on two different occasions, before Winston-Salem State would use an 18-3 run to erase the deficit and go ahead by 10, at 55-45, before going into the locker room at the half with a six point lead, 57-51.
