Jan. 17, 2011

Box Score

LINCOLN, PA - The Winston-Salem State Lady Rams (9-6, 4-2 CIAA) picked up a big road win when the team took a 73-55 road win over the Lincoln Lady Lions (1-11, 0-5 CIAA), Monday evening. The Lady Rams utilized a balanced attack along with some stellar defense to pick up the road win.

"It was a win, but it wasn't Winston-Salem State Lady Rams basketball. We're striving for coming out with a certain effort and energy level every night," WSSU head women's basketball head coach Stephen Joyner, Jr. said after the game. "I am happy to get the win but in our overall effort, we've got a lot of work to do."

The Lady Rams had a great night at both ends of the court, shooting a solid 47.8% from the field while holding the Lady Lions to shooting 34.5% from the floor. The WSSU defense was especially aggressive on the ball, forcing 17 turnovers by the Lady Lions as well. WSSU senior forward Vontisha Woods had a monster game with 24 points and eight rebounds in the game. Sophomore guard Jasmine Newkirk added 14 points as well while freshman guard Taylar Wells added 12 points and a career-high eight rebounds.

"Vontisha Woods is definitely starting to show what she is capable of doing. It was a wonderful effort. We are definitely looking for her to continue to do that," Joyner added. "Taylar Wells gave what we expected of her all season so hopefully, she's coming into the form that we expected and will continue to give us this kind of performance."

The Lady Rams took control early in the game with a dominating first half. For the first 20 minutes, the Lady Rams handcuffed the home team, holding the Lady Lions to shooting 25.8% from the field and forcing 13 first half turnovers. The first half got off to a slow start for both teams with only four total points in the first three minutes of the game with a 2-2 tie with just over 16 m was minutes left to play. It was midway through the half when the Lady Rams would take control of the contest with a 9-2 run that left WSSU on top, 17-8 with 8:13 left to play. Down the stretch of the half, the Lady Lions would make several big plays to get back into the game, but the Lady Rams had an answer at every turn and held off the home team to take a 30-22 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Though the Lady Lions would make several attempts to get back into the game, but the Lady Rams stood strong to take control of the game and stay on top. The Lady Rams had to fight off an early run by the Lady Lions as the WSSU lead was cut down to five points, 36-31 with 16:40 left to play, but the Lady Rams would not allow their opponents to get any closer. The Lady Rams stepped up to the challenge with a 21-9 run to build a 58-41 lead with just under 10 minutes left to play. The Lady Rams would push their lead to 19 points at the 7:37 mark on a Woods jumper. The team would keep the 19-point cushion for much of the half before ending the evening with the 73-55 victory.

"I was looking for us to come out and control the ballgame from the jump ball and it goes back to us not playing with at a certain energy level to start the game," Joyner added. "But, we'll get back and work on it and continue to try to get better. We've got to be more consistent and play Lady Rams basketball for forty minutes."

The Lady Rams will return home for their next action when the team hosts the Saint Paul's Lady Tigers. For more information on Lady Rams basketball, contact the WSSU Office of Athletic Media Relations at (336) 750-2909 or log on to www.WSSURams.com.