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Winston-Salem, N.C. - In a game that was an evenly matched and neither team had a decided advantage, the final outcome came down to one of the most basic fundamentals of basketball:  free throw shooting.

Winston-Salem State (7-8) made the most of its opportunities and Howard University (4-13) did not; thus the Rams prevailed, 64-56 in a non-conference men's basketball game at the Lawrence Joel Coliseum.

Howard was able to stay close throughout on the scoring of Randy Hampton (11 points), Paul Kirkpatrick (10 points) and Eugene Myatt (14 points) as they combined for 15 of 28 from the field.  But the remainder of the team missed 19 of 26 shots.

Still, the Bison were able to stay within striking distance.  Myatt and sophomore forward Kandi Mukole, who combined for 14 of Howard's 25 second half points, aided the cause.

But down the stretch, WSSU parlayed just enough hustle plays and its best free throw shooting performance of the season into a victory.  The Rams won the second chance battle, 16-10, scored 21 points off 16 Bison turnovers and converted on 12 of 13 free throw attempts (93 percent), including 10 of 11 in the last eight-plus minutes.  As a team, they came into the game shooting only 67 percent from the charity stripe.

The Bison, who oddly did not attempt a free throw in the first half, made only 7 of 12 in the second half.

WSSU was led by Jamal Durham's 12 points, Darrell Wonge's 11 and Brian Fisher's 10, all coming in the second half.

One area in which Howard was able to have an advantage was on the boards (41-32) where Hampton grabbed a season-high 9, and Myatt and freshman Adam Walker each garnered 7.

The Bison also did a good job distributing the ball, recording 14 assists on their 22 baskets.

But in the end, it was free throw shooting that proved to be a difference.

GAME NOTES: Walker recorded three blocked shots, bringing his total to 22 on the season...the Bison missed 21 of 26 shots from beyond the arc...Howard limited the Rams to 37 percent shooting, including 6 of 24 from three-point range...Hampton, who was playing just his game after missing 12 games, continues to improve his play...the junior guard/forward added 6 assists to his 11 points and 9 rebounds...after scoring a team-high 10 points in the first half, Kirkpatrick failed to score in the final 20 minutes.

NEXT UP:  Howard has little time to rest as it travels to Orangeburg, SC to take on the Bulldogs of South Carolina State on Monday at 7:30 in a game that will be nationally televised on ESPNU as part of the MEAC TV package.  The Rams will host the Pirates of Hampton University on Monday at 4 pm.