ETTRICK, Va. – Sophomore forward Cole Paar (Mt. Airy, Md./Towson)  scored a game-high 18 points to lead Shepherd (1-0, 0-0 PSAC EAST) to a 69-66 win over Winston-Salem University in the season opener for both schools on Friday in Men's Basketball Action at the Conference Challenge at Virginia State.
 
Paar connected on 8-11 shots from the floor with a 2-of-4 effort from three-point range. He added a game-high 14 rebounds and a pair of assists. 
 
Senior forward Carson Poffenberger (Morgantown, WV./Morgantown) added 13 points by going 4-of-8 from the floor. Freshman guard Elwyne Wordlaw (Frederick, Md,/Frederick) added eight points, three rebounds, and a game-high five assists. 
 
Micah Jones led Winston-Salem University with 15 points. Welsey Tubbs added 14 points, and Lorenzo Caldwell chipped in with 10 points. 
 
Shepherd had a 40-25 lead at the half. 
 
Shepherd connected on 43.6 percent (24-55) of its field goals with a 31.3 percent  (10-32) performance from three-point range. The Rams shot 57.9 percent (11-19) from the foul line.
 
Winston-Salem shot 35.4 percent (23-65) from the floor with a 30.8 percent (8-26) effort from beyond the arc. The Rams hit 66.7 perfect (12-18) of their free throws. 
 
Shepherd held a 43-27 rebounding advantage. Shepherd forced seven turnovers and committed 19. 
 
The Rams return to action on Saturday when they face host Virginia State at 7 p.m. for final day action at the Conference Challenge.