Mount Olive, N.C. – Tyre Boykin shined as the Winston-Salem State University men’s basketball team edged out the University of Mount Olive 93-91 on Monday night.
This victory improved the Rams’ record to 2-4. Boykin scored an impressive 48 points, while teammates Isaiah Ray and Abou Camara contributed 15 and 13 points, respectively. Khyelle Ingram stood out on defense with 8 blocks. As a team, WSSU shot well, hitting 36 of 67 field goals, 9 of 19 three-pointers, and 12 of 20 free throws.
The game started with Boykin scoring first. It was a back-and-forth battle, with the score tied at 9-9 just over 15 minutes into the first half. The Rams surged ahead with a 7-0 run, making the score 16-9. As the half progressed, the Rams extended their lead to 28-19. They ended the first half up 42-37.
The second half began slowly for the Rams. This allowed Mount Olive to take a brief 47-46 lead early on. The Trojans built a 58-48 lead with just under 12 minutes left. However, WSSU regrouped and managed to come within three points, 67-64, with 8 minutes remaining.
In a thrilling conclusion, the Rams reclaimed the lead at 73-70. Boykin pushed the lead to 86-83 with just over two minutes left. The game was tied 88-88 with 50 seconds remaining, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
The Rams will look to build on this momentum on December 11 against Bowie State University, with tip-off set for 4:00 p.m.
In addition to individual performances, team dynamics are crucial to success in basketball. According to a recent survey by the NCAA, teamwork and communication ranked as the top skills for winning teams in college sports. This highlights how essential it is for players to work together effectively, which WSSU managed to do despite a challenging game.
For more stats and insights on college basketball, check out the NCAA’s official site here.
