WINSTON-SALEM, NC – The Winston-Salem State Lady Rams (1-0) got the 2014-15 started in the right way, Saturday when the team took an impressive 57-52 win over the Urbana Blue Knights (0-1) in the opening game of the 2014 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA)/Mountain East Conference (MEC) Challenge. The Lady Rams took the win behind a strong overall effort at both ends of the court.

On both offense and defense, the Lady Rams gave some solid efforts in the game. As a team, the Lady Rams shot 31.1% from the floor while forcing 30 Urbana turnovers in the game. The Lady Rams also won the battle in the paint with 41 total rebounds. WSSU senior forward Dionna Scott led the way for the team with a game-high 19 points. She also added seven rebounds and six steals in the game. Junior guard Keshiria McNeill also had a strong debut with 12 points in the game.

After a slow start, the Lady Rams steadily built momentum throughout the game and rolled to the win. Things got tough early for the Lady Rams as the team fell behind, 10-19 at the 8:33 mark in the first half. The Lady Rams responded with an 11-2 run that tied the game, 21-21 with 4:38 left in the half. The run sparked the Lady Rams as the team kept up its strong play and finished the half with a 32-27 lead at the half.

Once in control, the Lady Rams kept up their strong play throughout the second half to cruise to the victory. The Blue Knights would not go down easily as they cut the WSSU lead down to four points, 38-34 with 18:20 left to play. The Lady Rams would remain in control of the game when a pair of back-to-back WSSU lay-ups put the Lady Rams on top, 47-38 with 11:49 left to play. Things got tough for the Lady Rams at the 7:01 mark as an Urbana three-pointer cut the WSSU lead down to just one point, 47-46. Though challenged, the Lady Rams would not relent as the duo of McNeil and Scott took the Lady Rams to the victory with some key baskets and free throws in the final minute of play.

The Lady Rams will return to action tomorrow when the team takes on the Shepherd Rams in a 4:00 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.