March 4, 2005
Final Stats |
Quotes
Raleigh, NC - WSSU's pair of shots in the game's final seconds cannot find the mark as Elizabeth City State University defeats the Lady Rams 62-61, ending Winston-Salem State's 2005 CIAA championship title bid in the semifinal round from the RBC Center in Raleigh, NC.
The game's opening minutes saw the second-seeded Lady Vikings open up a three-point lead as 2005 CIAA Rookie of the Year Celeste Trahan converted a lay-up and free throw combination that gave Elizabeth City State University an early lead over the sluggish Lady Rams.
WSSU would have trouble getting started during the early portion of the first half of play as they missed nine of their first ten field-goal attempts, shooting an unimpressive 10% from the field over the first 8:18.
However, it would be Janet Robinson, one of the Lady Rams' most accurate shooters, that helped to pull WSSU out of the shooting slump as she converted on three straight jumpers on three straight WSSU possessions (at the 13:47, 14:16, and 15:30 marks) over the span of one minute and 43 seconds that gave the Lady Rams their largest lead of the half, a 12-point cushion.
Leading 31-19, it looked as though the Lady Rams could continue to build upon their lead, despite starting guard Kadina Baldwin sitting on the bench with three early fouls. The Lady Vikings had other ideas as the combo of point guard Deanna Price and forward Celeste Trahan put on an offensive showcase as they helped ECSU storm back to close the gap to six points at 36-30 with 29 seconds to play in the half.
Leading by six, the Lady Rams took an ill-advised jump shot which the Lady Vikings promptly rebounded, driving the length of the court where Shantel Burwell hit a long-range jump shot as time expired to cut the ECSU deficit to only four points at the half as WSSU led 36-32.
Second half action was nearly a mirror image of the first half's waning moments as the two teams traded baskets and pushed the game into an up-tempo, running game, rather than the disciplined half-court style of which both teams are accustomed.
Elizabeth City State would eventually regain the lead with 6:20 remaining in the game as Celeste Trahan would once again give the Lady Vikings the spark that they needed.
She would convert a pair of free-throws that gave ECSU a one-point lead, leading 50-49 as the Lady Rams were forced to endure a slump in which they recorded only one field goal over a span of nearly four minutes.
Defensive intensity and gritty play would once again give WSSU the lead back as the Lady Rams mounted a 5-0 run over the next one minute and 11 seconds, regaining the lead at 55-51 with just under four minutes remaining in the contest and a championship berth at stake.
The final three minutes of play were indicative of the overall theme of the game as the two very evenly match teams battled for loose balls with clutch players hitting big shots.
The Vikings tied the game with another pair of free throws with exactly 2:00 remaining, knotting the score at 57-57 and setting up another in a long line of memorable CIAA Tournament finishes.
Facing a four-point deficit, the Lady Rams promptly hit a lay-up to cut the ECSU lead to two points at 61-59. 23 seconds later, WSSU pulled down a clutch defensive rebound, and Kadina Baldwin, who spent the majority of the game on the bench in foul trouble, would have a chance for redemption, looking to tie the game. With 42.1 seconds left, she did just that, nailing both free throws, evening the game up in the process.
ECSU would go right back to their go-to player in Trahan who had three looks at the basket after a pair of offensive rebounds. She would miss all three, and head to the free throw line after being fouled. Missing the back end of a pair of free throws, 2004 CIAA Rookie of the Year Shalonda Carter would pull down the key rebound and give the Lady Rams a chance to earn the win, and a championship berth, looking for the game-winning shot with only 13.1 seconds remaining.
WSSU would get two chances at the win with senior guard Nikki Eason missing a driving lay-up, and Carter missing the put back. Lady Ram players, coaching staff, and fans in attendance could only watch as the ball bounced harmlessly out of bounds as time expired, giving ECSU the win and earning them a CIAA title-game appearance.
Leading the way for the Lady Rams was Janet Robinson who recorded 14 points in the loss. Pacing Elizabeth City State was Celeste Trahan who tallied 24 points and pulled down 12 rebounds.
WSSU finishes the season at 15-15 overall, while Elizabeth City State improves to 17-11 and will move on to face the winner of the Shaw/NCCU game.
For additional information on WSSU women's basketball, contact the WSSU Office of Sports Information at (336) 750-2143 or log on to the Official Website of WSSU Athletics at www.WSSURAMS.com
