The Winston-Salem State Women's basketball team fought to the end, but Kennedi Simmon's three-pointer with one second to play wasn't enough as the Rams lost to St. Augustine's 69-68 in Raleigh.  The loss dropped the Rams to 2-3 in CIAA play and 6-6 overall.  The Falcons picked up their first CIAA win.

The Rams jumped to a 19-14 lead after the first quarter, but the Falcons outscored 'SU 22-15 in the second 10 minutes to take a 36-34 halftime lead. 'SU cut its deficit to one point after three quarters.  The two teams battled to a 19-19 tie in the fourth, allowing St. Aug. to claim the win.

Brooke Spaulding led WSSU with 18 points, and Simmons added 15.  Laichelle Sparrow came off the bench to score eight points.  Amaya Tucker, the team's leading scorer, was held to five points.

The game featured three ties and six lead changes.  'SU's largest lead was seven points with 9:32 to play in the second quarter. The Falcons' largest lead was eight points with 6:15 to play in the third quarter. St. Augustine's outscored the Rams 32-20 in the paint.

WSSU shot a respectable 41.9% from the field, hitting 26-62 field goals.  However, the Rams only managed two three-point goals, both coming in the game's last quarter.

The Rams held a 15-7 advantage in offensive rebounds that resulted in 14-second chance points.  St. Augustine's was limited to seven offensive rebounds and nine-second chance scores.

Simmons was 6-6 at the free-throw line, and the Rams shot 14-17 for 82.4%.  Four other Rams, Kendra Ross, Melody Pritchard, O'Shea Hatley, and Sparrow were also perfect at the free-throw line.

Winston-Salem State will return to the C.E. Gaines Center for a CIAA Southern Division matchup against Claflin on Wednesday.  Tip-off is set for 5:30 pm.  Everyone attending the game must show proof of a negative COVID test within 72 hours of the game.