RICHMOND, VA – The Winston-Salem State Rams (5-7, 1-2 CIAA) came up a little bit short against one of the top teams in the nation when the team took a 68-48 loss at #6 Virginia Union, Monday evening. The Rams found points hard to come by against the Panthers, who held the team to just 48 points, one point higher than their season-low performance.

As a team, the Rams struggled in the game. The team shot just 25% (15-of-60) from the floor and committed 25 turnovers in the loss. WSSU senior forward Trei Torain led the way for the Rams with nine points in the game while junior center Kandace Tate added a near double-double with eight points and seven rebounds. Senior center Taylor Boyd added six points and six rebounds.

After getting off to a slow start, the Rams made a solid run in the first quarter, but a late surge by the Panthers cost the Rams. WSSU started the game on a down note when they allowed Virginia Union to jump out to an 11-5 lead before back-to-back scores from Torain and Tate pulled the team to within two points, 9-11 with 4:35 left in the quarter. In the final minutes of the quarter, WSSU freshman guard Jahlia Williams scored three unanswered points to pull the Rams to within one point, 13-14 with 2:02 left in the quarter, but VUU pulled way with five unanswered points to leave the Rams trailing, 13-19 at the end of the quarter.

The second quarter was a bit similar to the first quarter with Virginia Union surging early and late, but the Rams rallying throughout the period. The early going was tough for the Rams, who allowed five unanswered points to the Panthers before a Tate lay-up with 6:46 left in the quarter broke the scoring seal and left the team trailing, 15-24. After falling behind by as many as 14 points, 20-34 with 1:41 left, the Rams were able to close the quarter with four straight points, including a Tate lay-up and a pair of free throws from freshman guard Aja Stevens that left the team trailing, 24-34 at halftime.

The third quarter was the best effort of the game for the Rams as the team was outscored by just two points, 15-13 in the quarter. Virginia Union was able to strike early, pushing the Rams' deficit to 15 points, 29-44 with 4:09 left in the quarter, but the Rams stormed back with an 8-5 run and ended the quarter trailing, 37-49.

The Rams ran out of gas in the fourth quarter with Virginia Union outscoring the team, 19-11. The Rams fell behind by as many as 22 points, 42-64 with 3:44 left to play. After falling behind, 44-68 with 00:51 left to play, WSSU junior guard Tiana Edwards scored four straight points to close the game and ended the Rams, 48-68 loss.

With the loss, the Rams fall to 5-8 overall and 1-2 in Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) play. The team will return home for their next action when they host the Virginia State Trojans in a 5:30 p.m. game. 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.