Jackson's jumper gives WSSU a win

Andrew Jackson saved the day, and helped re-fuel a rivalry with Johnson C. Smith as he hit a buzzer-beating 35-foot jumper in a 78-77 victory for Winston-Salem State. In front of a packed house of 3,200 at the Gaines Center on Monday night the Rams kept a hold of their first-place grip in the CIAA’s Southern Division. But it was far from easy.

“I know I beat the clock,” said Jackson, a senior guard who took Marcus Wells pass from midcourt and then hit the long jumper. The Rams coughed up the lead with sloppy play near the end and the Bulls had a 77-75 lead with three seconds left. With 1:18 left the Rams were up by five but the Bulls never gave up and came charging back.

JCSU WOMEN'S BASKETBALL BLOCKS OUT WINSTON-SALEM STATE FOR A 64-60 VICTORY

Winston Salem, NC – The Johnson C. Smith University women's basketball team remains unbeaten on the road after a 64-60 win over Winston-Salem State University on Monday evening inside the C.E. Gaines Center on the campus of WSSU. JCSU improves to 17-1 overall, 10-1 in the CIAA, and 3-0 in the division; while the Lady Rams move to 12-7 overall, 7-3 in the conference, and 2-1 in the Southern.

Coming into this game, there were a few interesting storylines. First, this was the first contest between JCSU and Winston-Salem State since January 2007; after WSSU ventured out of the CIAA to Division I-AA competition. WSSU head women's coach Stephen Joyner, Jr. has several ties to Johnson C. Smith University.

Joyner, Jr. is an alum of JCSU and former student-athlete, he served two seasons as the assistant women's basketball coach (under current JCSU head women's coach Vanessa Taylor), and he is the son of JCSU Director of Athletics and head men's basketball coach Stephen Joyner, Sr. Despite all those facts, JCSU and WSSU were battling for the top spot in the CIAA Southern Division.

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