WINSTON-SALEM, NC – The Winston-Salem State picked up their third conference win in a row, as Donta Harper led the Rams with 17 points, and they would hold on for a 74-69 win over Shaw Wednesday night at the CE Gaines Center.
With the win, WSSU improves to 11-5 overall, 4-3 in the CIAA and 2-0 in the Southern Division. Shaw Falls to 9-9 overall, 4-4 in the CIAA and 0-2 in the Southern Division.
The Shaw Bears got going early and tried to seize control of the game, as they were able to get out to a six points lead midway through the first half, at 19-13.
But the Rams would battle back off the momentum of a Donta Harper inside shot; a CJ Ford free throw and a breakaway dunk from Marquez Jones brought the Rams back to within one point, at 19-18.
WSSU would surge ahead at 22-21, before the game would go back and forth, and Shaw would eventually take a 37-36 lead into the locker room at the half.
Then the WSSU “Shock and Awe” style turned up the heat on the Bears as the second half got underway.
Donta Harper scored six of the Rams next 12 points, and Javan Wells would cap the run with a monstrous alley-oop dunk, as the Rams would jump ahead, 48-41.
Winston-Salem State would maintain the slight advantage over the next 10 minutes, and the Rams leading 59-56, had to hang on for the last 8:22.
Once again, however, the Shaw Bears would work their way back into the game and, and with 4:21 left, tied the game at 65-65.
WSSU would answer, with a three from Terrell Leach; a dunk from Donta Harper and a layup from Marquez Jones, to push the Rams back out in front for good, at 72-67 39.3 seconds left.
The Rams’ CJ Ford would ice the game for WSSU with two free throws with 12 second remaining, as WSSU would go on for a 74-69 win.
Winston-Salem State shot 48 percent from the floor, and dominated the points in the paint, 46-26. WSSU also held a 23-12 advanatge in points off of turners, and the Rams bench outscored Shaw, 27-13.
WSSU was led in scoring by Donta Harper, who scored 17 points to go with four rebounds, while CJ Ford added 14 points, four rebounds, three steals and two assists. Marquez Jones chipped in 13 points and a steal.
Terrell Leach added seven points, four rebounds three steals and three assists and Javan Wells finished with six points.
WyKevin Bazemore finished with a team high eight rebounds, leaving him 124 rebounds short of 1,000 rebounds for his illustrious career.
Shaw was led by Larry Richardson, who put in a game-high 18 points to go with his four rebounds, three assists and a steal. Koron Reed added 16 points, 11 rebounds, two blocked shots and two assists. Joe Reid chipped in 12 points, seven rebounds and three blocked shots.
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