FAIRMONT, WV – WyKevin Bazemore scored 23 points and pulled down 17 rebounds as the Winston-Salem State Rams come away with a big 80-75 regional win over Fairmont State on Saturday.
With the win, Winston-Salem State improves to 6-1 overall, while Fairmont State falls to 5-4 on the season.
The first half of the game was a back and forth contest throughout, as the game was tied seven times and had 11 lead changes in the first 20 minutes of action.
Winston-Salem State would trail 41-40 at the half, despite being out rebounded 26-13.
But it was the Rams defensive pressure that turned the tide in their favor in the second half, as WyKevin Bazemore took over, scoring 16 second half points and pulling down 11 rebounds in the final half to lead the Rams.
Winston-Salem State University would take their largest lead of the game with 11:55 remaining with they would go up by five points, 59-54, on a jumper from Donta Harper.
But Bazemore, along with Terrell leach coming off the bench, helped the Rams keep the Falcons at bay, and coupled with making free throws down the stretch, enabled the Rams to come away with the win, 80-75.
The Rams tied the game just over two minutes later following a free throw by Bazemore and a three from C.J. Ford at the 2:47 mark to make the score 73-73. From that point, the Rams outscored the Falcons, 7-2 (including a 5-of-5 performance from the foul line), to wrap up the 80-75 victory.
WSSU struggled from behind the 3 point arc all game, but it was the Rams’ defense that that through on this night, as WSSU forced the Falcons into 24 turnovers. WSSU converted those turnovers into 31 points.
Leading the scoring for the Rams was WyKevin Bazemore who had an excellent night, with a season high 23 points, 17 rebounds, two steals and a blocked shot. Marquez jones added 14 points, three steals, three assists and two rebounds, and Terrell Leach came off the bench to chip in 13 points, seven steals, five rebounds and two assists. Donta Harper finished with 10 points, three rebounds and an assist.
Fairmont State was led in scoring by Thomas Wimbush, who scored 23 points with 16 rebounds, while Caleb Davis finished with 14 points and Chase Morgan adding 12. Nick Harney added 10 points for FSU.
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