Feb. 5, 2005
Durham, NC - McClendon-McDougald gymnasium on the campus of North Carolina Central University is not an easy place to play when you are a visiting team. The 4,000-plus fans on hand make NCCU's home court a hostile environment to get a road win, let alone a CIAA victory. That environment was one the proved to be of no concern to the Rams on Saturday as they earned a hard-fought 86-81 overtime win over the Eagles.
It took the Rams a few minutes to get warmed up on Saturday evening as the Eagles jumped out to an early 6-0 lead as NBA-hopeful, and East Carolina University transfer Jonathan Moore (Raleigh, NC) scored five of the Eagles' first six points in the game to give the home team a six-point cushion only 1:43 into the contest.
Lesser teams may have had difficulties trailing by six points in front of a sold-out gymnasium on the road, but the Rams are not a lesser team. WSSU point guard Rashad McGee (Waxhaw, NC) would immediately lead the Rams on an 11-2 run with six points of his own as WSSU turned a six-point deficit into a three-point lead, ahead of NCCU 11-8.
The two teams would then settle into their deliberate offensive schemes, using a slow-down pace of play as both the Rams and Eagles would play to their strengths.
The inside presence and footwork of the Rams' undersized All-CIAA center Audly Wehner (Fayetteville, NC), combined with the perimeter shooting of the Ram guards kept the Rams in the lead, despite the Eagles being a taller team at all five positions.
The Rams, who headed into the game with a 9-2 overall record when leading a game at halftime, were once again in the lead at the conclusion of the first half of play on Saturday evening as they held a four-point halftime advantage, leading 32-28.
The second half of play started exactly the same way as the first half as the Eagles started the second period off with a thunderous dunk from Jonathan Moore as NCCU tried to get the home crowd, and momentum, behind them.
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However, it was WSSU's maturity and poise that would negate the momentum swing generated by the dunk as the Rams rattled off a 4-0 lead during the next two minutes to keep their lead intact.
The Eagles would not be denied however, as they were able to generate three WSSU turnovers with a 2-3 zone defense that would get them as close as two points with just over 14 minutes to play in the contest.
The Rams would keep their slim lead for the majority of the half until a Jonathan Moore three-point field goal tied the contest at 67-67 with 3:29 left to play in the game.
The Eagles regained the lead, by the slimmest of margins, on a Curtis Knight lay up as NCCU jumped ahead 69-68 to take the lead for the first time in 34 minutes of play with only 1:19 remaining in the contest.
Trailing by two points, 70-68, with 13.7 seconds left on the score clock, the Rams would need a quality shot to tie the game and force overtime. WSSU would not get a quality shot, as Alleggrie Guinn was forced to hoist up an off-balance three point attempt. However, a quality rebound and put-back is exactly what Audly Wehner was able to provide as he pulled down the rebound and laid the ball in to tie the game at 70-70 to force an overtime period.
The overtime session would again see the Rams trailing by two points on two different occasions. Again the Rams would step up. Frank Johnson would hit back-to-back deep three-point field goals to give the Rams an 80-78 advantage.
A Terris Sifford free throw would give the Rams a three-point lead at 81-78 with 19.2 remaining on the clock as NCCU looked to a possibly game-tying three-point field goal. However, an Eagle turnover gave the Rams the ball back and put the game's leading scorer, Audly Wehner, on the free throw line looking to ice the game. Ice the game is exactly what he would do, calmly hitting both free throws.
Even a last-ditch made three-pointer by Markael Brace would not be enough as the Rams were able to earn their sixth consecutive victory.
Leading the way for the Rams was Audly Wehner with 30 points and eight rebounds in the contest. NCCU was paced by Jonathan Moore who recorded 26 points and 12 points in the game.
With the win, the Rams improve to 15-5 overall and improve to 8-1 in the CIAA (3-1 CIAA West) as WSSU has now won their last six games. With the loss, the Eagles fall to 11-8 overall and drop to 5-4 in the CIAA (2-4 CIAA West).
WSSU will return to action on Tuesday, February 8th, 2005 at 7:30 pm as they will play host to the Falcons of Saint Augustine's College at the LJVM Coliseum Annex.
For additional information on WSSU men's basketball, contact the WSSU Office of Sports Information at (336) 750-2143 or log on to the Official Website of WSSU Athletics at www.WSSURAMS.com
