January 2017

Falcons win CIAA division opener

RALEIGH, NC (Jan 14) – On Saturday, Quincy January (Jr./Atlanta, GA) recorded 19 points and 10 rebounds as Saint Augustine’s University defeated Winston-Salem State University 70-62 in its CIAA Southern Division opener at Emery Gymnasium.

 Anthony Gaskins (Jr./Greenville, NC) added 15 points, Kasey Bryant (Jr./Raleigh, NC) chipped in 11 points and Kenneth Collins (Jr./Clayton, NC) registered 10 points for the Falcons, who improved to 1-0 in the division, 4-3 in the CIAA and 10-8 overall. The Falcons have beaten the Rams three consecutive times and five of the last six contests at Emery Gymnasium.

 January collected his eighth double-double of the season after entering the game ranked 17th nationally in the category. The high-leaping forward had 15 points and five rebounds in the first half including several jaw-dropping dunks to lead the Falcons to a 36-20 halftime lead. On one play, January dribbled behind his back while being closely guarded in transition before rising over the defender for a two-handed jam. He scored 10 points during a 21-0 run to turn a 14-9 deficit into a 30-14 lead for the Falcons, who shot 52 percent in the first half.

 After building a 21-point lead early in the second half, the Falcons held off the Rams (0-1 Southern Division, 1-4 CIAA, 5-9 overall), who managed to get the deficit within single digits late. The Falcons closed out the contest by scoring their last 20 points on free throws.

 The Falcons held an opponent under 70 points for the 10th time this season. Their record is 9-1 when a team scores 69 points or less.

Ameer Jackson scored 19 points and Robert Colon added 14 points for the Rams, who shot 31.4 percent. The Falcons outrebounded the Rams 36-31 and scored 24 points off 17 Rams turnovers. Led by January, the Falcons outscored the Rams 24-8 in the paint.

Before the contest, January and Gaskins were honored for scoring over 1,000 career points this season. Joined by family and friends, both student-athletes received commemorative basketballs from Athletic Director George Williams and Head Men’s Basketball Coach MarQus Johnson.

The Falcons will conclude their six-game homestand against Johnson C. Smith University on Wednesday, Jan. 18. Tip-off is 7:30 p.m. at Emery Gymnasium.

— Office of Sports Information