Dismal shooting from the three-point and foul lines could not slow the WSSU Women's basketball team in their home opener at the C.E. Gaines Center.  The Rams used a dominating game in the paint to rout Carolina University 69-39.

WSSU, now 2-1, outscored the Bruins 50-14 in the lane.  The Rams also capitalized on Carolina's 28 turnovers, scoring 28 points. 

Redshirt sophomore Amaya Tucker and sophomore Tyliah Burns led WSSU, scoring 13 points each.  Senior Melody Prichard scored 10 points on 5-8 shooting.  Senior Kendra Ross owned the boards, grabbing four offensive rebounds and nine defensive rebounds.

The Rams' 39.3 percent shooting from the floor more than offset the uncharacteristic 15 percent performance from the three-point line and 44.4 percent at the foul line.

Carolina managed to stay close in the first quarter, trailing 14-12 after 10 minutes.  WSSU outscored the Bruins 20-10 in the second quarter for a 34-22 halftime lead.

The Rams continued the scoring rampage in the third quarter, holding the Bruins to seven points while putting 17 on the scoreboard.

WSSU steadily broke open a close game early in the second quarter.  Ross hit a free throw with 8:35 to play and sophomore Kennedi Simmons had a steal and layup to increase the lead to 17-12.  Simmons followed with another layup less than a minute later and the Rams led 19-12.  'SU outscored the Bruins 8-1 in the final 90 seconds for the 12-point halftime advantage.

The 'SU defense held Carolina to only two points in the final 7:52 seconds of the third quarter while building the lead to 22 points.  Graduate student Brooke Spaulding connected on one of the Rams three baskets from beyond the ark with 1:58 to play and Tucker's steal led to Pritchard's layup with 22 seconds to play, and WSSU led 51-29.

Senior Hailey Gipson's jumper gave the Rams a 30-point lead at 62-32 with 4:46 to play in the game.  'SU would match the 30-point lead three additional times before the game ended on layups by senior Kyree Hall, senior Dajha Williams and Simmons.

WSSU returns to action at the C.E. Gaines Center on Saturday, hosting USC-Aiken.  Tipoff is set for 2 p.m.