The 2005 Twin City Shootout certainly lived up to its billing, as Wake Forest held off a hot-shooting Winston-Salem State team for a thrilling 88-84 victory. Nearly 15,000 fans packed Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum to watch these two schools battle it out. The game played out much like a heavyweight battle as both teams traded the lead throughout the game.
The Deacons jumped out to an early 24-13 lead, and it seemed as though they were just too strong for the Rams. But the Rams responded with a run of their own and before they knew it, the Rams found themselves up 40-34 with three minutes to go in the first half. The lead wouldn’t last long, as the Deacons went into half time up 42-41.
As good as the Rams were from 3-point land in the first-half, (5-12) they were even hotter in the second half as they shot a blazing 56 percent (5-9). The first 10 minutes of the second half saw both teams trade blows, going on little runs and letting the other team back into the game. The Rams got as close as 84-83 but the Deacs hit their free-throws down the stretch and escaped Lawrence Joel with a 88-84.
The close score was even more remarkable considering WSSU was playing without it’s two best players, pre-season All-American candidates Alleggrie Guinn and Audly Wehner. In fact, the Rams returned just one starter, Frank Johnson, from last season. Senior Corey Parker lead the Rams with 21 points and Curtis Hines finished with 12 points, including a 4-9 performance from 3-point territory. The Rams as a team finished 10-21 from the perimeter. The Rams hot shooting even surprised head coach Phillip Stitt. “I hadn’t seen anything like that in my two weeks of practicing with them. We stepped it up, and we executed our plays.”
The biggest reason for Wake Forest’s win was center Eric Williams. Williams, who put up 26 points and grabbed 10 boards, was basically unstoppable against a relatively small WSSU squad. Williams, who worked out with WSSU’s Darnell Wonge over the summer, played with great intensity and emotion against the Rams. “It’s a rivalry, but it is a good rivalry. It was nothing but respect and both teams came out and played hard.”