FAYETTEVILLE, NC – The Winston-Salem State Rams (11-13, 6-8 CIAA) put on a powerful performance when the team took a 71-68 road win over the Fayetteville State Lady Broncos (13-11, 7-6 CIAA), Saturday afternoon. The Rams took the win behind a breakout offensive performance as they tied a season-high with 71 total points in the game.

As a team, the Rams put on a stellar performance, shooting a scorching hot 48.2% (27-of-56) from the floor with four double-digit scorers in the game, including redshirt-sophomore center Jatzmin Johnson's career-high 17 points and eight rebounds in the game. Junior forward Sha'Quira Palmer added 13 points with six rebounds while sophomore center Kandace Tate added 12 points. Junior forward Jasmine Carter added 11 points as well.

The Rams took the win after taking control of the game early and never looking back. The team kicked things off with a smoking hot start when they jumped out to a 9-4 lead after a Carter three-pointer at the 6:12 mark in the first quarter. The Rams pushed their lead to as many as 11 points in the first quarter before taking a 23-14 lead at the end of the quarter. After the strong first quarter performance, the Rams found themselves seeking to fend off an aggressive comeback effort by the Lady Broncos. The Rams pushed their lead to 19 points after a 33-14 after a 10-point lead to open the second quarter. The Rams held their 19-point cushion until a seven-point run by the Lady Broncos ended the half and left the Rams on top, 39-28.

Though the Rams were outscored 32-40 in the second half, the team would not let victory slip through their grasp as they held on for the victory. The Rams kept their lead to double digits for most of the third quarter as a jumper from sophomore forward Briana Arnold kept the Rams on top, 48-38 with 5:25 left in the quarter. After allowing the Lady Broncos to pull to within five points of the Rams, 48-43, the Rams pulled away once again with a seven-point run that included a pair of Johnson scores and a three-pointer from senior guard Jazmyn Saunders at the 3:14 mark in the third quarter left the team back on top, 55-43. Fayetteville State made an effort to get back into the game, but the Rams would not let go of their victory as they took a 59-49 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

The fourth quarter was a tough one for the Rams, but the team would not give up their victory. After a Johnson lay-up with 3:54 left to play kept the Rams ahead, 67-57, the team soon had to hold off a furious final five-minute rally by the Lady Broncos. In addition to not recording another field goal for the remainder of the game, the Rams allowed an 11-4 run by the Broncos that whittled the team's lead down to just three points, but in the end, the Rams did enough to claim the 71-68 victory.

With the win, the Rams improve to 11-13 overall and 6-8 in CIAA play. More importantly, the Rams improve to 4-4 in CIAA Southern Division play and moves into a four-way tie for second place in the division.

The Rams will return to action, Wednesday when the team heads to Charlotte, N.C. to take on the Johnson C. Smith Lady Golden Bulls. For more information on Rams women's basketball, contact the WSSU Office of Athletic Media Relations at (33^) 750-2143 or log on to www.WSSURams.com.