Jan. 19, 2006

Final Stats

RALEIGH, NC - Shalonda Carter's team-high 16 points and 10 rebounds were not enough on Thursday evening as the Lady Rams committed 22 turnovers en route to falling in defeat 68-55 to the Lady Bears of Shaw University on the road in Raleigh, NC in a CIAA inter-divisional women's basketball contest.

The Lady Rams fell behind early in the contest, yet valiantly battled back to keep Shaw within five points midway through the first half of play.  However, 11 first-half turnovers would prove to be the story of the first half as the Lady Bears used WSSU giveaways to generate 16 points during the game's first period of play.

Second half action saw the Lady Rams commit another 11 turnovers, yet, more damaging than the turnovers were WSSU's missed opportunities as head coach John Williams' team missed numerous lay-ups and open opportunities that would ultimately prove costly.

The Lady Bears, the back-to-back CIAA women's basketball champions, one of the best teams in the nation, would not run away with the contest as the Lady Rams' trademark defense held offensive-minded Shaw in check.

Trailing by only five points with 11 minutes to play in the contest, three consecutive WSSU turnovers paved the way for the Lady Bears to once again push their lead to double-digits at 11 points, a two-figure lead that they would never relinquish.

Leading the way for WSSU was Shalonda Carter who tallied 16 points and 10 rebounds as she recorded her sixth double-double of the 2005-06 season.  She was joined in double-figures by Akebia Williams who tallied 10 points and 11 rebounds marking the first time WSSU has had two Lady Rams record double-doubles in over four full seasons.

Shaw was led by Natassia Boucicault who tallied a game-high 20 points and pulled down four rebounds as she led her Lady Bears to a win.

With the loss, the Lady Rams fall to 6-11 overall and drop to 1-5 in the CIAA (1-1 CIAA West) as Shaw improves to 11-4 overall and 5-0 in the CIAA (2-0 CIAA East).

WSSU returns to action on Saturday, January 21, 2006 at 5:30 pm as they play host to the Lady Tigers of Saint Paul's College at the C.E. Gaines Center in Winston-Salem, NC

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

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