WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - The Winston-Salem State women's basketball team jumped to a quick 6-0 start and never looked back in a dominating 72-54 win over Livingstone at the C.E. Gaines Center.  The Rams led 32-20 at halftime and 52-39 after three quarters.

Amaya Tucker led the Rams with 18 points on 6-11 shooting and 2-3 from the three-point line.  Kennedi Simmons came off the bench to score 13 points.  She was 9-10 from the free-throw line.  Kendra Ross was perfect at the free throw, hitting all five attempts, and finished with 11 points.  Ross also led in rebounding with nine.

Both teams began the second quarter with cold shooting from the floor. WSSU's first point, a three-point shot by Melody Pritchard upped the Rams lead to 18-11 with 7:41 to play. The Blue Bears didn't score until the 5:55 mark, allowing 'SU to take a 20-12 lead. Pritchard's free throw with 4:07 to play boosted the Ram's lead to 26-12.

Both teams caught fire early in the third quarter.  Livingstone scored 19 points, but 'SU added to its lead by scoring 22.  Simmons connected on nine of her 10 free throws in the quarter.

Tucker's three-pointer with 8:59 to play in the game propelled WSSU to a 57-43 lead. A three-minute scoring drought by the Blue Bears allowed 'SU to gain a 21-point lead on Kyree Hall's two free throws with 7:39 to play. Livingstone could never get closer than 17 points for the remainder of the game.

WSSU shot 35.7% (20-56) from the floor and 87.5% (28-32) from the charity stripe.  Livingstone was held to 31.3% shooting (21-67) and 12-21 at the free-throw line for 57.1%.  The Blue Bears did not make a three-point shot on 13 attempts.

WSSU improved to 9-7 overall, 5-4 in CIAA play, and 3-2 in the Southern Division.  Livingstone lost its seventh straight game to drop to 3-14 overall, 2-7 in conference play, and 0-5 in the Southern Division.

The Rams return to action against Bowie State on Monday.  Tip-off is set for 5:30 at the C.E. Gaines Center.