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S.C. State edges WSSU
Bulldogs sink big free throws in 63-60 victory
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Published: December 6, 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 last 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," said Coach Bobby Collins of the Rams. "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 shoot so well from the line but struggle on 3-point attempts. They were 1 of 14 on 3-point attempts 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."
The Bulldogs were seemingly in command with a six-point lead with 1:28 to go, but the Rams fought back and cut the lead 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-point attempts -- 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.
Paul 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 hit 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 he 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.
Davis was one of the bright spots for the Rams, dominating down low and having one of the best all-around games of his career. While he did have five turnovers, he played consistently 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 than 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 will play at UNC Charlotte on Tuesday night at 8 p.m.
jdell@wsjournal.com
727-4081
SCSU Min FG-A FT-A OR-T A PF Pts
Pitt 2 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 3 0
Flagler 31 6-11 1-1 4-14 0 3 13
Toombs 25 1-3 4-4 0-3 4 2 6
Porter 18 3-9 7-8 2-3 1 2 13
Bennett 30 1-9 2-2 0-2 2 1 4
McBride 4 1-2 0-0 0-0 0 1 2
TWilliams 22 1-3 2-2 0-4 0 1 4
Smalls 12 1-4 0-0 0-1 0 1 3
Wright 6 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 2 0
AWilliams 14 3-6 0-2 3-8 0 4 6
Telfare 9 0-4 0-0 0-0 1 0 0
Maxey 27 6-6 0-0 1-4 0 2 12
Totals 200 23-57 16-19 11-40 8 22 63
Percentages: FG .404, FT .842. 3-Point Goals: 1-14, .071 (Smalls 1-1, Telfare 0-1, T.Williams 0-1, Toombs 0-2, Porter 0-3, Bennett 0-6). Team Rebounds: 1. Blocked Shots: 4 (Maxey 3, Porter). Turnovers: 14 (T.Williams 4, Toombs 3, Bennett 2, Wright, Maxey, Porter, Flagler, Pitt). Steals: 6 (Porter 3, A.Williams, Toombs, Bennett). Technical Fouls: None.
WSSU Min FG-A FT-A OR-T A PF Pts
Carter 38 1-7 0-0 0-4 2 3 2
Jackson 30 5-11 0-0 1-4 4 6 13
Davis 30 7-8 3-8 6-12 0 3 17
Alcius 23 5-10 1-4 3-5 1 1 11
Wells 18 0-5 0-0 0-2 0 1 0
Monger 15 0-3 0-0 0-1 2 1 0
Fisher 34 4-14 7-9 2-5 2 2 16
Platt 4 0-0 0-0 0-1 0 0 0
Johnson 2 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0
Morris 6 0-1 1-2 1-2 0 1 1
Totals 200 22-59 12-23 16-40 11 18 60
Percentages: FG .373, FT .522. 3-Point Goals: 4-20, .200 (Jackson 3-7, Fisher 1-6, Alcius 0-2, Carter 0-5). Team Rebounds: 4. Blocked Shots: 6 (Davis 3, Alcius 2, Morris). Turnovers: 14 (Davis 5, Wells 3, Jackson 2, Carter 2, Fisher, Alcius). Steals: 4 (Fisher 2, Jackson, Monger). Technical Fouls: None.
S.C. State 29 34 -- 63
WSSU 24 36 -- 60
A--1,124.
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