UNCASVILLE, CT – The Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) men’s basketball team came up short in a competitive matchup against Kentucky State, losing 86-79 on the opening day of the Chris Paul HBCU Classic at the Mohegan Sun Arena.
Game Highlights:
Tyre Boykin led the Rams with 16 points, while four other WSSU players contributed 11 points each. Abou Camara dominated the boards with a game-high 13 rebounds. As a team, the Rams shot 29-of-74 from the field, including 13-of-32 from beyond the arc. They scored 30 points in the paint and tallied 30 points from their bench, showcasing their depth.
First Half Recap:
Kentucky State struck first with a three-pointer, but WSSU quickly responded with a three of their own from Micah Jones. Tyre Boykin’s three-pointer gave the Rams their first lead, 6-5, just two minutes into the game. The Rams extended their lead to 15-10 with 15:48 left in the half.
However, Kentucky State countered with a strong offensive run, seizing a 24-17 advantage with 12:23 on the clock and extending their lead to 33-23—the largest of the half—with 9:33 remaining. WSSU’s defense tightened, allowing the Rams to close the gap to 34-31 after two free throws by Wesley Tubbs III. Moments later, Boykin hit another three-pointer, giving the Rams a 37-34 lead with just over four minutes to play. The half ended in a 44-44 tie after a hard-fought defensive effort from both sides.
Second Half Recap:
The tightly contested game continued in the second half, with both teams trading baskets. The score remained tied at 51 with 16:20 remaining. The stalemate persisted until the under-12 media timeout, with the game deadlocked at 59-59.
Kentucky State pulled ahead 71-63 with just over eight minutes left, but WSSU rallied once again. A clutch three-pointer by Micah Jones gave the Rams a narrow 72-71 lead with 5:18 remaining. With the score tied at 79, Kentucky State closed the game on a decisive 7-0 run in the final minute, sealing the victory.
What’s Next:
The Rams return to action on Friday, December 20, at 11:00 a.m. to face Benedict College in their final game of the Chris Paul HBCU Classic.
