In front of more than 2,300 screaming Rams fans WSSU soundly defeated the Allen University Yellow Jackets 80-61.
The Rams defense was suffocating at best holding the Yellow Jackets to a dismal 28 percent shooting performance from the field and 27 percent from three-point land.
The Rams (3-0) opened up the game on a 19-0 run anchored by the 3-point shooting of senior forward Shelton Carter. He was 4 for 9 in the first half for 12 points all from 3-point land, and also contributed with two rebounds and one assist.
“It felt great to be on the good side of a lead like this, said Head Coach Bobby Collins.
“I thought Lamar Monger got us off to a fast start by drawing the charge early in the game.”
Monger, in his first start for the Rams scored 13 points with 10 of those coming in the second half. He also snatched down three rebounds and dished out three assists.
The Yellow Jackets (5-4) were scoreless for the first eight minutes and 41 seconds of the first half.
“It was our first home game and we wanted to show the fans what they are going to be seeing all season,” said Andrew Jackson, point guard for the Rams.
The Rams defense was forcing its will on the Yellow Jackets forcing 18 turnovers and blocking eight shots. Senior center Paul Davis led the way for the Rams defense with four blocked shots and sophomore power forward Stephon Platt followed up with three blocks of his own.
It was more than a block party for the Rams as the team also stole the ball eight times; sophomore guard Marcus Wells led the way with three steals of his own.
“It all started with our defense, it was a great team defensive effort,” Collins said.
The Rams showed their strength on the inside by physically dominating the Yellow Jackets big men. The Rams not only out rebounded Allen 47-42 they completely owned them in the paint outscoring the Yellow Jackets 44-10 in points in the paint.
Platt in his first start for the Rams this season scored eight points and pulled down two rebounds.
“He has earned some more starts and he can score down low and I really feel that we may have found something here with him,” Collins said.
The win improves the Rams record to 3-0 which is their best start since the 2003-2004 campaign when they won eight of their first 10 games. Next up for the Rams is a meeting with Bluefield State where the Rams hope to defend home court again like they did against the Yellow Jackets.