Rams Fall To Fresno State 85-63 In Traveler's Classic Day-One Action
Nov. 11, 2006
FRESNO, CA - Ja'Vace Coleman's game-high 20 points led the Bulldogs of Fresno State University past the Rams of Winston-Salem State by the score of 85-63 at the Save Mart Center in day-one action from the 2006 Traveler's Classic in Fresno, California on Friday evening.
The Bulldogs turned three consecutive turnovers by the Rams into eight points only 2:16 into the contest as
Following a 12-footer by Jamal Durham that gave WSSU their first points of the game, Coleman would single-handedly take the game over as he hit five consecutive three-point field goals over the course of Fresno State University's next six possessions.
"Coleman really didn't give us much of a chance to get into the game, I looked up and we were down 16-5. We wanted to prevent a big first few minutes, and he didn't allow that. We knew he could score and that he would look for his shot, but we didn't know he could shoot like that. We had no idea that he was going hit all six of his first-half threes" WSSU head coach Bobby Collins said in his post game interview.
Another successful three-point field goal by Coleman, his sixth and final made basket of the half would eventually push the Bulldog lead to 27-points with just over seven minutes left in the half, a deficit from which the Rams were never able to recover.
Following halftime adjustments by the Rams,
"At halftime I really talked about our effort intensifying in the second half. We eventually played four freshmen, and they really stepped up the intensity. We were given a stat sheet at every four minute media time-out and I just told my team, I just want to win every four minutes. That's what I told them and that's what we did. We showed intensity, and I am proud of my guys for that." Collins said.
Unlike the Bulldogs who had played a pair of exhibition games prior to Friday's game, the Rams, who were playing in their first game-action of the season, played with defensive intensity as they drew a team-record seven charges in the loss.
Coleman led five Bulldogs in double figures with his 20 points. He was joined by four players who tallied 12 points each.
WSSU was led by Jamal Durham's team-high 16 points on 7-of-17 shooting from the field.
The loss drops the Rams to 0-1 overall on the season while the Bulldogs improve to 1-0 with the win.
WSSU returns to action on Saturday, November 12, 2006 at 6:00 pm versus the University of California-Irvine at the
For additional information on WSSU men's basketball, contact the WSSU Office of Sports Information at (336) 750-2143 or log onto the Official Website of WSSU Athletics at www.WSSURAMS.com.
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