Nov. 22, 2003

Louisville, KY - Despite being without two starters, despite being eight hours away from home, and in the face of playing the host team, on their home court, the Winston-Salem State University Rams defeated the Bellarmine University Knights 76-71 on Saturday evening to win the 2003 Joe Reibel Tip-Off Tournament hosted by Bellarmine University in Louisville, KY.

The distance from home and the depleted roster would not be the only adversity that the Rams would face in the contest however, as the Knights would attempt 29 free throws in the contest, while Winston-Salem State would never reach the bonus in either half, being awarded only five attempts from the charity stripe in the contest. Despite the disparaging advantage for the home team, the Rams would show their poise and secure the victory, the third in a row for Winston-Salem State.

The victory improves WSSU to 3-1 on the season thus far (0-0 CIAA) and is sure to make the eight-hour bus trip back to Winston-Salem, NC a much more enjoyable one for the Rams.

The Rams were the beneficiaries of not only having four players in double figures, but of another stellar shooting night as well. Leading the way for WSSU was true freshman Curtis Hines (Fr./F/6'2"/210/Charlotte, NC) with 16 points. The sharp-shooting freshman drilled four of his five three-point attempts en route to his team-high sixteen points.

He was not alone however, as sophomore sensation Alleggrie Guinn (So./G/6'1"/180/Charlotte, NC) again showed why he was voted to the 2002-03 CIAA All-Rookie Team as he tallied 13 points on the evening, also failing to connect on only one three point shot attempt as he finished three of four from behind the arch.

Rashad McGee (Jr./G/5'10"/190/Waxhaw, NC) and freshman Audly Wehner (Fr./F/6'6"/215/Fayetteville, NC) each chipped in with 12 points each, with McGee collecting a team-high eight assists, and Wehner recording five rebounds. Rounding out the Rams with spectacular numbers was another first-year Ram, as junior transfer Terris Sifford (Jr./F/6'4"/195/Cleveland, NC) narrowly missed recording a triple double as he tallied eight points and nine rebounds (five offensive rebounds) in the victory.

For their efforts, the Rams collect several pieces of hardware. The team receives the Joe Reibel Tournament Championship trophy, and two Rams, Rahsad McGee and Audly Wehner receive All-Tournament Team honors, with Rashad McGee being named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.

The Rams will put their three-game win streak on the line on November 25th, 2003 when they return home to the CE Gaines Center to face Central State at 7:30 pm.