Three Players Scored In Double Figures For The Falcons

FAYETTEVILLE, NC (Jan 28) – On Saturday, Kenneth Collins (Jr./Clayton, NC) scored 12 points for Saint Augustine's University, but the Falcons lost 55-53 to Fayetteville State University on a last-second shot at Capel Arena. The CIAA men's basketball game was televised nationally on ASPiRE TV.

Collins was 4 of 7 behind the three-point arc for the Falcons, who connected on 7 of 20 three-point attempts. Jquwan Ruffin (R-Fr./Ahoskie, NC) scored 10 points including 2 of 4 three-pointers.

Ruffin scored eight straight points to rally the Falcons (1-4 Southern Division, 10-12 overall) from a four-point deficit late in the game. His second consecutive three-pointer put the Falcons up 53-52 with 2:19 remaining. The Broncos scored the last three points to eke out the win including a game-winning jumper by Joshua Dawson with 1.5 seconds on the clock. A desperation three-pointer by the Falcons from three-quarters of the court fell short.

A controversial play helped the Broncos down the stretch. With 2:01 left, the Falcons, leading 53-52, rebounded a missed free throw by Willie Gilmore. After calling timeout at the 1:49 mark, the Falcons were about to throw an inbound pass near midcourt when the officials sent Gilmore back to the free throw line. The officials determined that Gilmore should receive another free throw because he was fouled in the act of shooting. Gilmore made the free throw to tie the game.

Instead of having the lead and the ball, the Falcons needed a basket or free throw to break the tie. They had two chances to take the lead but misfired twice, the second time with 26 seconds left after the Broncos (3-2 Southern Division, 9-10 overall) committed a turnover. With time winding down, the Falcons forced the Broncos to take a tough shot but Dawson knocked down the jumper for the victory.

The loss offset another magnificent defensive performance by the Falcons, who held an opponent under 60 points for the second time in three games. The 55 points scored by Fayetteville State is the second-lowest against the Falcons this season. The Falcons rank second in the CIAA in points allowed (67.8).

Quincy January (Jr./Atlanta, GA) added 10 points and seven rebounds for the Falcons but was hampered by foul trouble after picking up two fouls in the first half. Chris Melton (So./Richmond, VA) chipped in seven points and five rebounds for the Falcons. He and Ruffin were part of a Falcons bench which outscored the Broncos bench 23-17.

Josh Bryant paced the Broncos with 19 points including 13 points in the second half. Dawson added 11 points for the Broncos, who outscored the Falcons 21-8 in turnover points and 16-6 in second chance points.

Melton scored all seven of his points in the first half to help the Falcons hold a 29-28 halftime lead. January and Collins each added six points for the Falcons, who shot 45.8 percent in the opening stanza. Gilmore led the Broncos with seven points.

The Falcons are off until Saturday, Feb. 4 when they visit Winston-Salem State University in Winston-Salem, N.C. Tip-off is 4 p.m.