WINSTON-SALEM, NC – The Winston-Salem State University Rams (9-9, 4-4 CIAA) got a key win, Monday evening when the team took a 66-56 win over the Claflin University Panthers (0-17, 0-10 CIAA). The Rams took the win behind a big second half, including an especially impressive third quarter to claim the win.

The Rams took the win behind a solid offensive effort and some clutch defense. As a team, the Rams shot a solid 42.6% (23-of-54) in the game. Defensively, the team forced 25 Claflin turnovers in the win as well. WSSU senior guard Taylor Daniels led the way for the Rams with 16 points. She was one of four WSSU players to reach double-digit scoring as sophomore guard Melody Prichard added 11 points while sophomore Kyree Hall and senior guard Jahlia Williams added 10 points each. Hall also led the Rams' rebounding effort with eight rebounds in the game.

The game had a thrilling start with both teams hitting some big shots and playing some quality defense. The Rams opened the game on a high note when they took a 9-5 lead after a Daniels three-pointer with 5:20 left in the first quarter. However, the final five minutes of the quarter belonged to the Panthers as the Rams allowed their opponents to take a 16-13 lead at the end of the quarter. The Rams reclaimed things in the second quarter when they outscored the Panthers 17-13. After falling behind by as many as six points, 19-13, the Rams answered with a 10-point run that was powered by five points from Prichard. She hit a three-pointer at the 7:20 mark that put the Rams on top, 23-19. A bit later in the half, the Rams and Panthers found themselves tied, 27-27, before a Hall three-pointer gave the Rams a 30-27 lead. The Rams went on to hold that lead into the locker room at halftime, 30-29.

It was in the third quarter when the Rams took control of the game. The team outscored the Panthers, 20-12. The Rams allowed the Panthers to gain an early 37-36 lead in the quarter, but the Rams soon answered in a big way with a 14-0 run that put WSSU on top, 50-37, after a lay-up from junior guard Teara Johnson with 1:59 left in the third quarter. From there, the Rams cruised into the fourth quarter with a 50-41 lead.

In the fourth quarter, the Rams had to fend off a strong comeback effort by the Panthers. The Rams pushed their lead to double digits, 54-44 after a Williams lay-up with 8:30 left to play. As the game near its end, the Rams' lead was cut down to three points, 58-55, with 3:57. The remainder of the game belonged to the Rams as the team held the Panthers to just one point and cruised to the 66-56 win.  

With the win, the Rams improve to 9-9 overall and 4-4 in Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) play. The team also remains undefeated in CIAA Southern Division play. The Rams will return to action, Saturday when the team hosts the Fayetteville State Broncos in a 2:00 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.