Boxscore


WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Junior forward Tyquan Stroman (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) scored 15 points for Saint Augustine's College, but the Falcons had season-lows in points and field-goal percentage in a 55-43 CIAA men's basketball loss to Winston-Salem State University  at C.E. Gaines Center.

The Falcons (12-9, 7-4 CIAA, 3-2 Southern Division) stayed within striking distance despite shooting 29.1 percent for the game. They also played most of the contest without redshirt sophomore forward Chris Johnson (Hampton, Va.), who was ejected in the first half.

The contest was a rematch of the first meeting between both teams on Jan. 28 in Raleigh, N.C. The Falcons won 61-55 to give the Rams their first CIAA loss of the season.

The atmosphere was electric inside Gaines Center for the rematch. The gym was packed wall-to-wall on both sides with fans, who looked forward to the second meeting between both teams.

The Falcons fed off the energy of the crowd early. Junior swingman Jon Kindred (Raleigh, N.C.) canned three straight jumpers, including a 3-pointer, to spark the Falcons to a 16-5 lead. The Rams rallied to take their first lead at 20-19 on a three-pointer by Chris Witherspoon when Johnson and Nequan Melvin nearly came to blows near midcourt.

Both players were separated quickly, but were assessed technical fouls and tossed from the game. The Falcons, without one of their best players, never recovered from that point, which occurred with 2:43 left in the first half. The Rams, spurred by their boisterous crowd, finished the half on a 6-0 run for a 26-19 halftime lead.

The Rams started the second half the same way they ended the first half, scoring the first six points out the gate for a 32-19 lead. The margin reached 14 points before the Falcons climbed their way back in the contest. Stroman's jumper and a free throw by senior forward Darrell Glass (Washington, D.C.) capped a 16-8 run to pull the Falcons within 45-39 with 6:05 left. One last late run by the Rams put the game out of reach for the Falcons.

Sophomore swingman Tyron Laughinghouse (Greenville, N.C.) added nine points and eight rebounds off the bench for the Falcons, who outscored the Rams 28-8 in bench points and outrebounded their taller opponent (40-39). WyKevin Bazemore led the Rams with 17 points and 10 rebounds while Justin Glover scored 14 and Marcus Wells had 11 points. Despite three double figure scorers, the Rams shot 36.5 percent from the floor but outscored the Falcons 30-16 in the paint.

The Falcons will complete a three-game road swing Saturday at Johnson C. Smith University. Game time is 7:30 p.m. at Brayboy Gym in Charlotte, N.C.