WINSTON-SALEM, NC – The Winston-Salem State Lady Rams (15-6, 10-1 CIAA) had to overcome an aggressive Saint Augustine's Falcons (11-10, 6-5 CIAA) along with some shooting struggles en route to a 75-63 home win, Monday evening. The Lady Rams had to overcome a team season-high 29 turnovers and a determined Saint Augustine's team that made a big second half run, to secure their second straight win.

"This was not the way that I wanted us to look tonight, but nevertheless, we did get the win which is our ultimate goal," WSSU women's basketball head coach Stephen Joyner, Jr. said following the game. "But I'm looking for us play at a certain level and showing that we're getting ready for the end of the year and that we're getting ready for the CIAA tournament." 

Though the Lady Rams had their share of struggles in the game, the team was able to power through to pick up the win. For the game, the Lady Rams and the Lady Falcons combined for 48 fouls and 49 turnovers in the hard-fought game. The Lady Rams finished the game with a 43.4% field goal percentage and 29 turnovers in the game. Junior guard Jasmine Newkirk led the way for the Lady Rams with 21 points while senior guard Courtney Medley added 14 points with eight rebounds. Junior forward Monique Williams added 10 rebounds in the game as well.

"We're not preparing and we're not coming to the games with the right mind set … and as the head coach, I need to find a way to get them motivated so that we can start games the way that we need to," Joyner, Jr. added. "I am glad to see that we pick things up when we need to pick it up, but I'd rather see us get as close to forty minutes of WSSU Lady Rams basketball as possible."

Things looked good early for the Lady Rams as the team jumped out to an early 5-2 lead, but the lead would not last long with the Lady Falcons battling back to claim a 7-5 lead with 14:35 left in the first half. It was midway through the half when the Lady Rams would take control of the game when an 11-3 WSSU run put the Lady Rams ahead 20-12 with 7:49 left to play. Once in the lead, the Lady Rams were able to control the remainder of the half. Though the Lady Falcons would cut the WSSU lead down to three points with just under five minutes left to play, the Lady Rams would go on a late run to take a 38-27 lead into the locker room at halftime.

After taking control of the game in the first half, the Lady Rams found themselves holding off the Saint Augustine's attack. The Lady Rams outscored the Lady Falcons 37-36 in the second half. A three-pointer by sophomore guard Taylar Wells left the Lady Rams ahead by 13 points, 53-40 with 14:16 left to play. The Lady Falcons would make a run midway through the half when the team cut the WSSU lead down to just two points 55-53 with 9:21. However, Newkirk and the Lady Rams would answer with a run that WSSU back in front by 10 points 66-56 with 5:46 left to play. The Lady Falcons made one last run in the game's final minutes, cutting the WSSU lead to three points, 66-63 with 3:56 left. However, the Lady Rams would close out the game on a high note, holding the Lady Falcons scoreless for the remainder of the game and ended the evening with the 75-63 win.

With the win, the Lady Rams improve to 15-6 and 10-1 in the CIAA. The team will remain home for their next action when they host the Shaw Lady Bears in a 5:00 p.m. game. 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.