WILSON, NC – The Winston-Salem State Lady Rams (3-5) picked up their first road win of the season when the team took an emotional 73-68 win over the Barton Bulldogs (2-7), Saturday afternoon. After falling behind by as many as 15 points in the second half, the Lady Rams stormed back to take the win in the final minutes of the game.

The Lady Rams took the win behind one of their most complete efforts of the season. As a team, the Lady Rams shot 43.8% from the floor while holding Barton to shooting 39.6% from the floor and forcing 25 turnovers. The Lady Rams had a stellar effort controlling the ball as the team finished the game with just 13 turnovers in the game, with only three turnovers coming in the second half. WSSU junior guard Kesheria McNeil powered the victory for the Lady Rams with 26 points in just 20 minutes on the floor while senior forward Dionna Scott added 19 points. Freshman forward Sha'Quira Palmer led the team's rebounding effort with five rebounds in the game.

In the early going, offense was the order of the day with both teams finding their way to the basket. It was at the 14:06 mark when the Lady Rams recorded their first lead of the game when a lay-up by senior forward Jovanah Graham gave the Lady Rams a 14-12 lead. Though in the lead, the Lady Rams had to continue to battle against a scrappy Barton team. After a McNeil lay-up at the 8:24 mark left the Lady Rams on top, 21-19, the Lady Rams allowed a 12-3 run by the Bulldogs to fall behind, 24-30 with 3:27 left to play. In the remaining three minutes of the half, the Lady Rams struggled as the team managed just five points to finish the half trailing 29-36.

The Lady Rams' late first half scoring drought carried over into the second half. Through the first six minutes of the half, the Lady Rams managed just six points with just two field goals made during the drought. At the end of the drought, the Lady Rams were outscored 14-6 and left the team trailing 35-50 with 14:10 left. Though down, the Lady Rams kept the game within reach and cut their deficit down to 10 points, 45-55 with 9:59 left to play. After once again falling behind, 51-62 with 7:16 left, the Lady Rams kicked things into gear.

The Lady Rams' comeback began with a flurry as the team scored seven unanswered points in less than a minute to cut their deficit down to four points, 58-62 with 6:07 left to play. The offensive spurt paid off on both ends of the court as the Lady Rams allowed just two field goals to the Bulldogs for the remainder of the game. The defensive effort paid off for the Lady Rams when McNeil took over the game. She scored eight points in the less than a minute and pushed the Lady Rams ahead, 70-68. She hit a free throw at the 3:03 mark to tie the game, 65-65 and then followed by putting the Lady Rams on top, with a lay-up at the 2:44 mark. The lay-up was the result of a key steal from junior guard Angel Porter and put the Lady Rams on top, 68-65 after the score and a free throw. Though Barton would hit a three-pointer to tie the game, 68-68 with 2:17 left, McNeil once again hit a pair of free throws to put the team on top, 70-68 with 1:23 left. It was a three-pointer by Scot that sealed the game with just 17 seconds left to play. The Lady Rams would not allow another shot attempt to the Bulldogs and then ended the game with the 73-68 win.

With the victory, the Lady Rams improve to 3-5 on the season and snapped a four-game losing skid. The win was also the team's first road win of the season as well. The Lady Rams will return home for their next action when they host the Claflin Panthers, 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.