RALEIGH, N.C. (Jan. 12) – Saint Augustine's University looks to continue its winning ways when the Falcons visit Winston-Salem State University in the CIAA men's basketball Southern Division opener at the Gaines Center in Winston-Salem, N.C., on Saturday, Jan. 13. Click HERE for live stats of the contest, which begins at 4:30 p.m.

The Falcons (5-1 CIAA, 8-9 overall) have won six of their last seven games including two consecutive victories. They own the best conference mark in the CIAA entering Saturday's contest, which is the first of 10 division games which will determine the Southern Division champion in addition to CIAA Tournament seeding.

The Falcons are gelling at the right time. Offensively, they rank third in the CIAA in field goal percentage (46.0) and second in three-point field goal percentage (37.1). Defensively, opponents have shot less than 40 percent against the Falcons in the last seven games. The Falcons rank third in points allowed per game (70.5) and fourth in field-goal percentage defense (40.2). Nationally, they rank 19^th in Division II in field-goal percentage defense.

Tyre Gathright (Jr./Wilmington, NC) is tied for fifth in the CIAA in scoring average (16.9) and Quincy January (Jr./Atlanta, GA) leads the conference in rebounds per game (11.8) and field goal percentage (65.4). Kasey Bryant (Sr./Raleigh, NC) is the CIAA leader in three-point field goal percentage (45.9).

January, who averages 14.7 points, ranks third nationally in Division II in rebounds per game and 13^th in double-doubles (8). He is tied for third among active Division II players in career double-doubles (46) and third in career rebounds (940). The high-leaping forward is 71 points and 60 rebounds away from reaching 1,500 career points and 1,000 career rebounds.

The Rams (2-4 CIAA, 4-11 overall) are on a three-game losing streak entering division play. Robert Colon is tied with Gathright in the CIAA with a 16.9 scoring average while William Crandell and Derrick Farquharson average 16.5 points and 10.6 points, respectively, for the Rams, who rank 17^th nationally in Division II in free throw attempts and 30^th in free throws made. Crandell ranks fourth in the CIAA in rebounds per game (7.6).

Both teams split the season series in 2017. The Falcons won at home 70-62 on Jan. 14 and lost 78-74 in Winston-Salem on Feb. 4. They are aiming for their first road victory against the Rams in eight tries.

This will be the Falcons' fifth straight road game. After facing the Rams, they visit Johnson C. Smith University next Saturday, Jan. 20, at 4 p.m.