DURHAM, N.C. - The North Carolina Central University Eagles fell to pick up their first win of the season as the Winston-Salem State Rams handed them a 66-51 loss Thursday night at the McLendon-McDougald Gymnasium.  

The Rams jumped out to an early 7-0 lead to start the game and continued a solid shooting performance throughout the first half connecting on 13-of-23 shots.  WSSU used depth to build on their lead as 11 players recorded playing time in the game’s first 20 minutes.

The second half was much of the same for the Rams as they dominated with 26 points in the paint.

Leading the way for the Rams were Jamal Durham and Brian Fisher who each tallied 19 points in the victory. The pair combined to hit 15 of their 26 field goal attempts including 6-of-11 baskets from 3-point range.

“Jamal [Durham] and Fish [Brian Fisher] provided us the spark tonight.  Prior to the game tonight, we talked about what sacrifices each of our guys had to make, what things each of our young men had to focus on, and our guys really took that to heart.  They did what we asked and because of that effort, we got a crucial win tonight” said WSSU head coach Bobby Collins.

Joining Durham and Fisher in double figures was Diontae Gibson who finished with 10 points.

“We got exactly what we needed out of our experienced guys tonight,” Collin said during post game interviews.
 
The victory improves the Rams to 2-7 while the Eagles drop to 0-13 on the year.

Winston-Salem State returns to action on Saturday, Dec. 20 at 4:00 p.m. as they face the Cougars of Averett at the C.E. Gaines Center in Winston-Salem, N.C.  The contest will mark the Rams home-opener after playing the first nine games of the year on the road.