WINSTON-SALEM, NC – The Winston-Salem State Lady Rams (8-5, 3-0 CIAA) scored their fifth straight win in a big way, holding off the tough Bowie State Lady Bulldogs (1-9, 1-2 CIAA) for a 59-52 win, Monday evening. After a late first half drought left the Lady Rams trailing 22-21 at halftime, the tem stormed back late to take the win and remained undefeated in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA).

The win came by way of a stellar effort by the WSSU bench which contributed 36 points in the win. " It was another big game and another big win," WSSU head women's basketball coach Stephen Joyner, Jr. said. "The main thing that we saw what that our bench could come out and win some games for us.  [senior guard] Taneisha White, [freshman guard] MacKEnzie Weston, and [sophomore guard] Taylar Wells all hit big shots for us tonight. [Freshman forward] Jovonah Graham also gave a great effort for us. If we had to give a game ball tonight, it would be to her."

The Lady Rams had their fair share of struggles in the game, shooting just 34.5% from the floor and committing 22 turnovers in the loss. However, the team was able to get through for the win behind a strong defensive effort, holding the Lady Bulldogs to shooting 32.1% from the floor and forcing 27 turnovers. WSSU senior guard Courtney Medley led the Lady Rams' scoring efforts with a team-high 15 points. Graham had great night with 13 points and seven rebounds.

The first half was a hard-fought affair as a 15-10 lead with just over 11 minutes left to play was the largest lead of the half. Down the stretch of the half, the Lady Rams' struggles caught up with them as the tam allowed a 6-1 run by the Lady Bulldogs to take a 22-21 deficit into the locker room at halftime.

The game turned out to be a see-saw battle in the second half with momentum swinging both ways. An early WSSU run left the Lady Rams with a seven-point lead, while some struggles midway through the half left the Lady Rams trailing by seven points. The WSSU struggles continued until the team trailed by nine points, 48-39 with just over six minutes left to play. However, the Lady Rams would mount a late run, capped by a three pointer by White, which tied the game, 50-50 with 2:37 left to play. The three pointer was followed by another by Wells, which put the Lady Rams ahead for good. In the game's final minute, the Lady Rams closed out the game with nine straight points to seal the 59-52 victory.

With the win, the Lady Rams recorded their fifth straight win, surpassing last season's longest winning streak. "Our mind set has to be on the next game," Joyner, Jr. added. "We are happy to have won five games in a row and looking to keep winning at Chowan and Elizabeth City State, but we have to continue to get better at doing the little things. If we take our talent and combine it with the little thing that it takes to win."

After recording three straight home wins, the Lady Rams will return to the road when the team heads to Murfreesboro, N.C. to take on the Chowan Lady Hawks, Thursday. For more information on Lady Rams basketball, contact the WSSU Office of Athletic Media Relations at (336) 750-2143 or log on to www.WSSURams.com.