LINCOLN, PA – The Winston-Salem Salem State Rams (5-6, 1-0 CIAA) used an overpowering front court to take a 69-52 win over the Lincoln (Pa.) Lady Lions (2-7, 1-1 CIAA) in their Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) opener. The Rams took their fourth straight victory behind 28 points in the paint and a stifling defensive effort.

Claiming their second straight road victory, the Rams had one of their top overall performances of the season. The team shot a scorching hot 47.1% (24-of-51) from the floor, including scoring 28 points in the paint. Defensively, the Rams gave a strong effort as well, holding the Lady Lions to shooting just 31.1% from the floor. WSSU junior center Kandace Tate led the team to the win with 19 points off the bench while senior forward Jasmine Carter added a double-double 16 points with 10 rebounds. Junior guard Tiana Edwards was the only WSSU starter to reach double digit scoring when she scored 12 points in the game.

The Rams dominated the game from the very start with a great first quarter effort. After playing to a 7-7 tie midway through the quarter, the Rams closed the period in style, outscoring the Lady Lions, 10-6 to take a 17-13 lead after the opening quarter. Though the tables turned a bit in the second quarter, the Rams were able to fend off the Lady Lions to hold on to their halftime lead. Lincoln (Pa.) opened the quarter with the hot hand as the Rams allowed seven unanswered points to tie the game, 17-17 with 7:07 left in the half. Tate would take things over for the Rams for the remainder of the half as she single-handedly outscored the Lady Lions, 8-5 to leave the Rams on top, 25-23 at halftime.

The third quarter was a hotly contested one as the Rams and the Lady Lions both rode the wave of momentum throughout the quarter. Once again, the two teams played to a tie midway through the quarter as the Rams and the Lady Lions tied the game, 31-31 with 4:32 left in the quarter. It was then that Carter connected on back-to-back three-pointers to put the team on top, 37-31 with 3:44 left in the quarter. Lincoln (Pa.) would pull to within two points of the Rams, 39-37, but an Edwards three-pointer would keep WSSU on top, 42-37. From there, the Rams would close out the quarter, holding on to the 44-39 win heading into the fourth quarter.

After some conservative performances in the first three quarters, the Rams broke out for 25 fourth quarter points to close out for the victory. An Edwards three-pointer at the 7:31 mark left the Rams with their first double digit lead of the game, 51-41. The Rams really kicked things into gear when the team went on an 8-1 run, holding the Lady Lions without a field goal for a full four minutes. Once in control, the Rams cruised to the 69-52 win.

With the win, the Rams improve to 5-6 overall and more importantly, 1-0 in CIAA play. The Rams will break for the holiday before returning to action at Bowie State on New Year's Eve. For more information on Rams women's basketball, contact the WSSU Office of Athletic Media Relations at (336) 750-2143 or log on to www.WSSURams.com.