WSSU badly needs win against J.C. Smith

WINSTON SALEM, North Carolina - No room for error. That's the situation Winston-Salem State is in after two straight losses, to No. 9 Shaw and to Livingstone.

The fast-fading Rams (17-6, 3-4 CIAA Southern Division) are ranked No. 7 in the Atlantic Region and clinging to hopes of making the NCAA Division II Tournament, but they need to win. They'll try to end their losing streak tonight when they play Johnson C. Smith (10-13, 3-4) at 7 o'clock at the Gaines Center.

The Rams have three regular-season games left before the CIAA tournament in Charlotte. Losses in four of the last six games will make their road to the NCAA tournament tougher, with only the top eight in each region advancing.

Coach Bobby Collins was not happy after Monday's lethargic 83-65 loss to Livingstone. There was an hour-long meeting after the game to clear the air, and Collins also put the Rams through a 6 a.m. practice later in the week.

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