Box Score

INSTITUTE, W.Va. – Junior guards Derek McKnight (Teaneck, NJ/Gaston (N.C.) Day School/Louisburg CC) and Devin Smith (Baltimore, Md./Randallstown/Richard Bland CC) each scored a game-high 22 points to lead the Rams, but West Virginia State (3-1, 1-0 MEC) rallied for a 92-87 win over Shepherd University (1-3, 0-1 MEC) in MEC men's basketball action at West Virginia State on Saturday.

Smith connected on 8-of-10 field goals with a 6-of-8 effort from the foul line. McKnight hit 6-of-13 field goals with a 1-of-3 effort from beyond the arc. He also grabbed eight boards.

Senior guard Steffen Davis (Accokeek, Md./Maret School) added 10 points, five steals, and four assists. Senior forward AJ Carr (Fairfax, Va./St. James School) recorded a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds.\

Robert Fomby had 20 points and Ernest Jenkins added 17 for the Yellow Jackets. Pat Johnson-Agwu added 15 points and 13 boards.\

Shepherd had a 49-33 lead at halftime as Smith (12) and McKnight (10) combined for 22 first-half points.\

State rallied to take the lead for good at 86-84 on a tip-in by Fomby with 2:09 left. The Yellow Jackets ended the game on a 6-3 run to cap the win.

Shepherd connected on 48.4 percent (30-62) from the floor with a 35.3 percent (6-17) performance from beyond the arc for the game. The Rams hit on 80.8 percent (21-26) of their free throws.

West Virginia State shot 41.3 percent (33-80) from the floor with a 34.4 percent effort (11-32) from three-point range. The Yellow Jackets shot 76.2 percent (16-21) from the charity stripe.

Shepherd had a 43-40 advantage in rebounding. The Rams forced 13 turnovers and committed 23.

The Rams return to action on Monday when they travel to Charleston for a 7:30 p.m. contest.