February 25, 2004
RALEIGH, NC –Virginia State University’s dominance over western
division teams this season, going 5-1 during the 2004 campaign, continued in
the opening round game of the CIAA Tournament by defeating Winston-Salem State
University, 67-58, Wednesday at the RBC Center in Raleigh, NC.
Riding a slew of pre-game emotion, WSSU was the aggressor, capitalizing on
easy baskets and taking an early 9-5 lead seven minutes into the game. The
Rams’ scoring could not match the team’s effort, as they went a
dismal 9-26 (34 percent) from the field.
“We lost the game in the first 20 minutes,” WSSU head coach Philip Stitt
said. “We dug ourselves a hole that we couldn’t get out of.”
VSU rebounded well from Winston-Salem State’s assertive start by going
on a 15-3 run over the next nine minutes to take a 28-14 lead at the 4:42 mark.
The Trojans would not relinquish the lead again. They controlled the tempo
through most of the first half, much impart to their center Avis Wyatt’s
solid play in the post. He was an intimating force under the basket, rejecting
and redirecting the Rams attempts to score inside.
Wyatt had a game-high six
blocks, including two emphatic swats in the first half.
Forward Bryan Scott handled the scoring for the Trojans in the opening stanza,
netting 12 points, including 6-6 from the free-throw line.
Terris Sifford paced the Rams with four points and five rebounds in the half.
Winston-Salem State came out in the second half with the same emotion they
displayed early in the game. Fortunately, this time the passionate play paid
off in the point column. WSSU cut the Trojan led to one (41-40) on a pair off
free throws by guard Vincent Sessoms.
Once again Virginia State withstood the Rams’ charge, responding with
a 7-0 run to push the lead to eight (48-40) with a little over six minutes
left on the clock.
Down six with two minutes remaining, Ram guard Alleggrie Guinn had a chance
to pull the team within three, but missed an open three-pointer. On the ensuing
Trojan possession, Rodney Henry made one of two free throws to make it a three
possession game (58-51) with just over one minute left, subsequently sealing
the deal.
“We came into tonight thinking this is a game we should win,” said
VSU head coach John Hill. “I’m just happy we got the job done, and
will be moving on.”
Henry led the Trojans with 14 points, and Wyatt finished with 13.
Sessoms played well, scoring 18 and pulling down eight boards in the losing
effort.
VSU will meet Saint Augustine’s College in the second round Thursday
at 9:00 p.m.