RALEIGH, NC – The Winston-Salem State Lady Rams (9-13, 5-7 CIAA) held off the scrappy Saint Augustine's Falcons (11-10, 5-7 CIAA) for a 59-56 win, Monday evening. After building some impressive leads throughout the game, the Lady Rams found themselves in a tough battle to fend off a Falcons team that played relentlessly.

The Lady Rams took the win behind a very impressive overall effort as they shot 40.7% (22-of-54) from the floor and forced 21 turnovers in the game while holding the Lady Falcons to shooting just 29.6% (16-of-54) at home. WSSU junior guard Kesheria McNeil led the way for the Lady Rams with a game-high 17 points in the game while redshirt-senior guard Taylar Wells added 11 points. Senior forward Dionna Scott rounded out the effort with 10 points and a game-high seven rebounds. Senior forward Jovanah Graham pulled in seven rebounds and made a key block late in the game.

Things got started slowly for the Lady Rams, but the team soon kicked things into gear in a big way and remained in control for the remainder of the half. After allowing a 10-4 lead by the Falcons in the first six minutes of play, the Lady Rams took control of the game when a McNeil jumper sparked a 21-2 run for the Lady Rams that lasted for nearly 10 minutes and left the team on top 25-12 with 5:33 left in the half. Though in control, the Lady Rams soon had to fend off a comeback effort by the Lady Falcons that trimmed the WSSU lead down to just six points at halftime, 26-20. In the final five minutes of the half, the Lady Rams managed just one point, a McNeil free throw during the stretch.

Though challenged, the Lady Rams would not give in as they continued to hold off the hard-charging Falcons. After an SAU three-pointer cut the WSSU lead in half, 26-23 in the opening minute of the half, the Lady Rams kicked things into gear once again when they scored eight unanswered points to remain on top, 34-23 after a Scott lay-up at the 16:59 mark. The Lady Rams found themselves challenged when Saint Augustine's went on a 9-3 run the left the Lady Rams on top, 41-38 midway through the half. The Lady Rams managed to keep themselves in control of the game late when a Saint Augustine's free throw at the 2:10 mark capped a 12-4 run the left the Lady Rams on top, 53-52.

In the final minutes of the game, the Lady Rams made several key plays on both ends of the court that sealed the victory. Sophomore forward Tabitha Fudge answered the challenge from the Lady Falcons when she made a lay-up at the 1:52 mark that pushed the WSSU lead at three point, 55-52. In the final minute, the Lady Rams made a pair of key free throws and held the Falcons to just two points to seal their second straight road victory.

With the win, the Lady Rams improve to 9-13 overall and 5-7 in Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) play. The Lady Rams also improve to 2-4 in the CIAA Southern Division and move ahead of Fayetteville State and into fifth place in the division. The Lady Rams won't have long to rest, however, as they will return to Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday evening when they take on the Shaw Lady Bears.

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.