Ten days off from game competition did not seem to matter on Wednesday evening as the Winston-Salem State University Rams men’s basketball team cruised by visiting Columbia Union, 82-61, at Joel Coliseum in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Playing in their first game since a December 29 loss at South Florida, the Rams completely out-matched the Pioneers of Columbia Union en route to their fifth win of the season, a total that equals their five-win season of 2006-07.

The Rams’ extended layoff was apparent during the first 20 minutes of action as WSSU converted only 12 of their 32 first-half field goals.

The 37.5-percent shooting in the first half translated into WSSU leading by only five points at the half as they clung to a 31-26 lead heading into the break.

Second half action belonged entirely to the Rams as WSSU significantly improved their shooting percentage, converting on nearly 57-percent of their field goal attempts, hitting 18-of-32 shots in the period.

The Rams used a season-high 42 points in the paint, including seven dunks, to outmatch the Pioneers as they easily outscored Columbia Union 51-35 in the second half.

Winston-Salem State opened up their largest lead of the game when they mounted a 15-0 run over the span of five minutes of play that was capped by a thunderous Jamal Durham dunk, his fourth dunk of the contest, that gave the Rams a 71-41 lead with 5:17 remaining.

Twelve WSSU players would record playing time in the game with 10 scoring baskets.

Leading the way for WSSU was Jamal Durham who recorded a game-high 17 points as he led WSSU in scoring for the third time this season. Durham was joined by Darrell Wonge and Brian Fisher who scored 16 and 13 points in the win, respectively.

Freshman Paul Davis turned in another solid performance for the Rams as he tallied eight points and 12 rebounds in the win.

Leading the way for the Pioneers was Dana Clark who recorded 22 points as he led three Columbia Union players into double-figure scoring.

The win improves the Rams to 5-7 overall and drops the Pioneers to 0-14 on the season as Columbia Union remains winless.

WSSU returns to action on Saturday, January 12, 2008 at 7:30 pm as they play host to the Hawks of the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore at the Joel Coliseum.