FAYETTEVILLE, NC – The Winston-Salem State Rams (12-11, 7-7 CIAA) played a tough game, but some critical mistakes late cost the team in a 61-58 road loss to the Fayetteville State Broncos (14-9, 9-5 CIAA). The Rams held a late lead in the game, but the team had some costly miscues that cost them dearly in a classic game between the two top teams in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Southern Division.

The Rams gave the Broncos all they could handle in the game with the team playing tough at both ends of the court. Offensively, the Rams had a solid game against the tough Fayetteville State defense. As a team, the high-powered Rams were held to just 58 points and shot just 38.8% (19-of-49) from the floor, including shooting just 37.5% (three-of-eight) from the three-point line. With the team's perimeter scoring handcuffed, the Rams turned to their interior to power the offense with senior center Kandace Tate leading the way. She scored a game-high 22 points to lead the Rams while fellow senior guard Tiana Edwards added 16 points. Senior forward Briana Arnold led the team's rebounding effort at 10 rebounds in the game. Defensively, the Rams were solid, holding the Broncos to shooting just 36.2% (21-of-58) from the flooring, including allowing just three three-pointers.

The Rams got the game started in a big as the team took control of the early portion of first quarter. The team opened the game with a 6-2 run to go ahead of the Broncos, but soon had their lead cut down to just two points, 10-8 in the final minutes of the quarter. The Rams would not led their lead slip away as a Tate lay-up with just three seconds left gave the Rams a 15-12 lead at the end of the quarter.

The second quarter saw a similar effort by the two teams, but it was Fayetteville State that made the key plays in the final seconds to take a halftime lead. The Rams held off an early attack by the Broncos as their lead was cut down to as few as one point, 19-18 before back-to-back baskets from Tate led the Rams ahead, 23-19 midway through the quarter. The Rams were held scoreless for the final two minutes of the quarter with Fayetteville State scoring six straight points to leave the Rams trailing, 29-25 at the half.

The third quarter saw an improved offensive effort from both teams as this time, it was the Rams who staged a late rally to cut into an early deficit. After falling behind by as many as eight points near the midway point of the half, the Rams began a comeback effort that was sparked by a Tate lay-up with 2:45 left in the quarter. The effort sparked a 6-2 run by the Rams that cut their deficit down to just four points, 48-44 at the end of the quarter.

The Rams carried their momentum into the fourth quarter for a thrilling conclusion to the game. The Rams kicked things off when the team opened the quarter with five unanswered point to claim the 49-44 lead after an Edwards three-pointer with 7:41 left to play. From there, the Rams were able to fend off the Broncos' attack until the final minutes of the game. A pair of Arnold free throws with 4:08 left to play kept the Rams on top, 55-53, but an ill-timed offensive drought struck the Rams as the team recorded just one field goal in the final five minutes of the game. The team was able to play some solid defense and keep the game within reach, trailing, 58-56 with just under a minute left to play. Trailing, 58-56 in the final seconds, a WSSU turnover cost the team its only remaining opportunity to tie the game or take the lead as Fayetteville State hit some key free throws and held the Rams to just one basket to take the 61-59 loss.

With the loss, the Rams fall to 12-11 overall and 7-7 in CIAA play. More importantly, the Rams fall to- 6-2 in CIAA Southern Division play to remain in second place in the division. The Rams will return to action, Wednesday, when the team heads to Charlotte, N.C. to take the Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls 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.