l’ai>c 12 'I'lic News Argus
Sports
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
w\\-\v.tliene\vsargiis.com
Rams exit MEAC with strong promise for return to CIAA
1 r-T-l1 T~» _ 1 L r~\T r TT> 0 A, i"V^P
The Rams 2009-2010 basket
ball season will leave a lasting
impression as
LATASHA
MILES
Sports Editor
Winston-Salem
State exits
Division I and
the Mid-
Eastern
Atlantic
Conference
play.
W S S U
began with a
0-3 start in
Eugene, Ore.
at the BTI
Tournament Tip-Off in mid-
November, but bounced back
winning two of their next three
games at home. The Rams
defeated Atlanta Christian 94-
57 Nov. 20 and Milligan 85-59
Nov. 30. The 76-52 loss came
from Atlantic Coast
Conference powerhouse Wake
Forest Nov. 24.
During the win over Atlanta
Christian, the Rams recorded
12 scorers, five in double-dig
its, and three with double-dou-
bles. By halftime, 10 of the 12
players to score had put points
on the board.
Junior Shelton Carter scored
17 points and snatched 10
rebounds. Junior Paul Davis
added 13 points and 11
rebounds, as junior Mc/ntoclie
Alcius tossed in 10 points and
led the Rams in rebounds with
12. The contributions from the
trio were the first time in five
years that three WSSU players
contributed a double-double.
Senior Brian Fisher also
conclusion.
Within the next week, head
coach Bobby Collins received a
three-year contract extension
guaranteeing him the position
through 2012-2013.
I am gwteful that the school
added a personal mark to hiS*" made a commitment to bring
collegiate resume earning his^.^^,;„jj)^:^ck for three more years.
1,000th point in the 37-point
victory.
After a four-game skid in
December, including losses to
other ACC heavyweights,
Maryland and Georgia Tech,
both on the road, and a 63-60
defeat by South Carolina State,
WSSU responded by winning
five of their next seven games.
The victories were over
Washington Adventist,
Maryland Eastern Shore,
Coppin State, Norfolk State,
and NC A&T all in January.
The number of, points in the
win over Washington
Adventist tied for the most
scored in the season, while the
victory over Maryland Eastern
Shore Jan. 11 was the first on
the road for the Rams.
WSSU had an opportunity to
capture their first road win of
the season when facing
Delaware State Jan. 9, but a col
lapse in the game's final min-
ute.s gave the Hornets a 49-48
Collins said. Hopefully, we
can get this program back to
the winning ways it's accus
tomed to in Division II."
In those five wins, the Rams
finished January posting a 5-3
record, creating less turnovers,
more assists, and by outre-
bounding opponents.
The Rams lost their next two
games, a close 75-69 defeat by
Florida Ac&M and to Bethune-
Cookman before wins over
Ferrum College and Howard
with scores of 62-49 and 62-58
respectively.
Another close loss, a bitter
55-53 defeat to Hampton Feb. 8
gave the Rams a 9-13 record.
"I wish we could've won
more games," Collins said.
"We lost three games at the
buzzer. Some games just got
away from us that we could've
won,"
WSSU followed with a two-
game road trip to Baltimore in
mid-February and put up a 1-1
record. The Rams lost to
Morgan State 79-63 and com
pleted the sweep over Coppin
State 70-60.
After a 74-60 loss at Norfolk
State , the Rams made history
at the Greensboro Coliseum
defeating NC A&T for the sec
ond time in the season. The
two wins were the first time
WSSU swept the Aggies since
the 1979-1980 season. The
Rams came from behind in
both wins over the Aggies.
The Rams lost the next two
games at home to Florida A&M
and to Bethune-Cookman.
WSSU was able to conclude the
season March 4 with a 61-59
win at South Carolina State on
a 3-pointer from junior
Andrew Jackson as time
expired. The Rams finished
with a 12-17 record.
"During our season, our goal
was to play hard every game
and compete every play," said
sophomore Lamar Monger.
"We did that in most of our
games. Also, a plus to our sea
son was our wonderful fan
support. Whether we were
winning the game or losing,
the fan support never left."
Davis was named to the All-
Independent Men's Basketball
Second-Team March 9.
Davis started in 24 of the 29
games, averaging 11 points and
eight rebounds a game. He was
chosen as one of the best 10
players in Independent
Conferences.
Davis led the Rams with 317
points, including a career-high
of 32 points in a game Feb. 13
against MEAC-Champions
Morgan State.
Exiting the complete transi
tion to Division I, the Rams
will go back to Division II and
CIAA play next season and
will return a nucleus of players
including Davis, Morris, and
freshman Marcus Wells.
"I really didn't know what I
was going to get out of this
team this year," Collins said.
"But it ended up being one of
the most enjoyable teams that I
have coached. Now that we're
going back [to Division II], I'm
excited."
"There is light at the end of
the tunnel. In the past four
years we competed, but there
was no chance to participate in
any kind of tournament. There
will be a will now that the kids
will have a purpose.
"We can do something spe
cial with keeping these guys
together."
JUMP-START YOUR
CAREER.
UNC Business Essentials gives college students and recent graduates with non-busmess degrees
the business knowledge they need to achieve their career goals.
BUSINESS ESSENTIALS \
GIVES YOU)
AN ADVANTAGE /
BUSINESS CERTIFICATE PROGRAM adds
a valued credential from a top-ranked business
school to your resume.
RIGOROUS COURSES cover key business
principles and real-V(/orld skills.
INNOVATIVE ONLINE PROGRAM lets you
work at your own pace.
For more information, visit
www.uncbusinessessentials.com
or call 1-866-821-9458
ube
uncbusiness
ESSENTIALS
Follow our blog ^
blogs.kenan-flagler.unc.edu/ube
D
Find ui on
Facebook
DSN'T MESS WITH THE PRESS
• * * * * / * V ,* * ****** « ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦ • • * * ♦ ♦ ♦
* , ,,»,»***•***** t t ********** * ^ 4 «