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Rams lose to S.C. State 63-60
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Published: December 5, 2009
Much like last season Winston-Salem State failed to win another close game. This time it was S.C. State making all the right plays, and hitting clutch free throws, in a 63-60 win at the Gaines Center on Saturday night.
The Rams (2-5) couldn't get over the hump against the Bulldogs (4-1), who were a productive 16 of 19 from the free-throw line.
"It's the small things," Coach Bobby Collins of the Rams said. "We continue to not do some of the little things and it cost us again. Whether it's not boxing out at the right time or a key turnover they all just add up."
What didn't add up for the Bulldogs was how they could shot so well from the line but struggle on 3-point attempts. They were 1 of 14 on 3-pointers as the Rams extended their zone most of the game and did a nice job of harassing the outside shooters.
"I didn't know we were that bad on 3-pointers," Coach Tim Carter of the Bulldogs said. "We were very lucky to win when you are shooting like that on 3-pointers."
Paul Davis of the Rams said that it's hard to believe that the Bulldogs could miss so many 3-pointers but make most of their free throws.
"That's kind of weird," Davis said about the differential in S.C. State's 3-point shooting and free-throw shooting. "But they also beat us in transition a lot and they are a great team in transition."
The Bulldogs were seemingly in command with a six-point lead with 1:28 to go but the Rams fought back and cut it to one point three different times. But as was the case last season they never got the big play they needed.
Brian Fisher did everything he could for the Rams scoring eight points in a row in the final 1:17, but with leading scorer Shelton Carter having an off night – he was 1 of 7 shooting and 0 for 5 on 3-pointers – it was up to Fisher to try and bail them out.
Fisher's twisting layup with 34.6 seconds left cut the margin to 59-58, but point guard Khalif Toombs made two big free throws to push the lead back up to three. Davis (17 points, 12 rebounds, three blocked shots) converted an offensive rebound for a basket for the Rams with 18:2 seconds left.
Toombs again converted two free throws to push the lead to 63-60. Fisher's fadeaway 3-point attempt that he tried to shoot off the dribble on the right wing fell woefully short with two seconds to go.
Fisher agreed with Collins that not doing the little things hurt.
"It's disappointing, you want to protect your house and if you can do that you usually have a good season," said Fisher, who scored 16 points and had five rebounds and two steals.
Backing Davis and Fisher was point guard Andrew Jackson with 13 points and four assists but fouled out late as the Rams kept sending the Bulldogs to line. At one point the Bulldogs made 12 straight free throws in the second half.
Forward McIntoche Alcius had 11 points and five rebounds and played pretty good defense on forward Jason Flagler, one of the top players in the MEAC. Flagler had 13 points and 14 rebounds, but he hit one of the biggest shots of the game with Alcius in his face from about 15 feet away.
Flager's basket with 1:55 gave the Bulldogs a 55-51 lead.
One of the bright spots for the Rams was the play of Davis, who dominated down low and had one of his best all-around games of his career. While he did have five turnovers, he played consistent and was around the basket all night.
"I think we lost seven games by five points or less and I'd rather lose by 10 points then lose the close ones," Davis said. "So this really hurts. We have to get over that hump in a close game and win one."
The Rams, who shot 37 percent, but were just 4 of 20 on 3-pointers, played from behind nearly the whole game.
"Turnovers really killed us," Collins said. "They had 14 turnovers also but ours just seem to come at the wrong time. We have to win one of these close games."
One thing that's going to be much different this season is the Rams should have more of a home-court advantage at the Gaines Center.
"I was glad to see our guys compete until the end and that team was picked second in the league," Collins said. "So what does that say about us?"
The Rams will play at UNC Charlotte on Tuesday night at 8 p.m.
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