Hoops Showdown: Men’s Basketball Faces Fayetteville State Before Hitting the Road to Shaw!

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.- The men’s basketball squad of Winston-Salem State University will compete against conference adversary Fayetteville State University on Monday, January 20th. The game is set to commence at 7:30 p.m. in the C.E. Gaines Center. 

The team will head to Raleigh, North Carolina to take on Shaw University on Wednesday, January 22nd at Spaulding Gymnasium at 8:00 p.m.

Key Details vs. Fayetteville State University
Location: Winston-Salem, N.C (C.E. Gaines Center)
Date/Time: Monday, January 20th |7:30 p.m. 
Media: View/Live Stats
Theme: Greek Day

Key Details vs. Shaw University
Location: Raleigh, N.C (C.C. Spaulding Gymnasium)
Date/Time: Wednesday, January 22nd |8:00 p.m. 
Media: View

Series Overview vs. Fayetteville State University 
This marks the 32nd encounter between the Rams and the Broncos since 2006, with the Rams currently ahead in the series 22-9. Last season, the teams divided their two matchups, with the most recent being a Rams’ victory over FSU 75-50 on February 13th, 2024.  

Series Overview vs. Shaw University 
The Rams hold a 16-13 advantage in the series, having won both encounters last season. Their last meeting resulted in a 85-69 victory for the Rams on February 22nd, 2024.  

Returning Rams:
The team has brought back four players from last season, sophomores Lance Gill, junior Jeremy Dixon, and seniors Stefon McLeod along with Ralph Bland. 
 
New Rams:
Over the off-season, the Rams added 11 fresh faces: freshmen CJ Alston, Khyelle Ingram, Samuel Newkirk, redshirt freshman Masuan Moore-Bryant, sophomores Jaiden Thompson, Wesley Tubbs, juniors Lorenzo Caldwell, Tyre Boykin, Abou Camara, J’vonni Roblejo, and senior Micah Jones. 
 
CIAA Preseason Ranking/Poll
Overall, the Rams were projected to finish fifth in the CIAA preseason poll.

CIAA Weekly Accolades
•    Khyelle Ingram earned the Rookie of the Week title for week 6. 

Previous Game Recap
The Rams were defeated by Claflin University 82-47 on Saturday, January 18th. Tyre Boykin was the leading scorer for the Rams with eight points, while Jeremy Dixon and Lance Gill contributed six points each. 

Scouting Summary
Leading the Rams in scoring is Micah Jones with an average of 13.8 points per game, followed closely by Tyre Boykin with 10.9 points. WSSU is posting an average of 68.1 points per game.

Fayetteville State University (11-6, 4-3 CIAA, 2-0 South)
The Broncos triumphed over Shaw University 86-63 on Thursday, January 9th. Caleb Simmons leads the scoring for the Broncos with 18.1 points, followed by Tairell Fletcher with 17.3 points, and Ezekiel Cannedy with 15.9. Fayetteville State maintains an average of 73.2 points per game. 

Shaw University (9-9, 4-3 CIAA, 1-2 South)
The Bears suffered a loss to Livingstone College 69-66 on Saturday, January 18th. Trent McIntyre leads Shaw’s scoring with 17.4 points, followed by Dreveon Scott with 12.4 points, and Dee Barnes with 10.5 points. Shaw is averaging 74.2 points per game. 

Next Match
The men’s team will be back at home on Monday, January 27th, facing Virginia Union. Tip-off is slated for 7:30 p.m. at the C.E. Gaines Center. The theme for the night is Wild Wild West- Dress Up As Cowboys or Cowgirls.