FAYETTEVILLE, NC --Caleb Simmons registered a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Fayetteville State men's basketball team over the Winston-Salem Rams 61-58 at home Saturday.
In addition to Simmons' double-double, the Broncos (11-9, 6-4) were led by Tairell Fletcher, who put up 17 points, and by Khalil Ridges, who added nine points and two steals.
The Rams (13-5, 7-2) were led by Jalen Alston who contributed 24 points along with 7 rebounds.
Led by Simmons' five offensive rebounds, Fayetteville State did a great job crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 13 boards that resulted in 12 second chance points.
The Fayetteville State defense was effective at taking away the basketball in Saturday's game, forcing 15 Winston-Salem turnovers while committing eight. Those takeaways turned into 17 points on the other end of the floor. Sean Tony Hauser led the way individually for the Broncos with two steals.
How It Happened
After falling behind 20-18, Fayetteville State went on an 8-0 run with 9:52 left in the first half, culminating in a bucket from Myles Pierre, to take a 26-20 lead. The Broncos then added one point to that lead by the end of the period and entered halftime with a 37-30 advantage. Fayetteville State did most of its first half damage in the paint, scoring 20 of its 37 points close to the basket.
Winston-Salem proceeded to take a 57-55 lead before Fayetteville State went on a 6-0 run, finished off by D'Marco Baucum's layup, to seize a 61-57 lead with 22 seconds to go in the contest. The Rams narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Broncos still held on for the 61-58 win. Fayetteville State got a boost from its bench in the period, as non-starters accounted for 11 of its 24 total points.
Game Notes
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Caleb Simmons notched a double-double for the Broncos with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
» Fayetteville State had a 33-31 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Fayetteville State defense forced 15 turnovers.
» Fayetteville State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 13 offensive boards in the game.
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Tairell Fletcher led the Broncos with 17 points.
» Fayetteville State got a game-high 10 rebounds from
Caleb Simmons.
The Broncos will be back at Felton J. Capel Arena on Wednesday, January 31st to face off against the Claflin Panthers with tip-off beginning at 7:30pm.
