FAIRMONT, WV. – It came down to the wire but the Winston-Salem State University women's basketball team dropped its season opener 79-76 to Fairmont in the Joe Retton Arena Saturday afternoon.

Amaya Tucker and Kennedi Simmons both finished with 15 points for the Rams. Taniah Wilkins dished in 12 points and 18 rebounds. Jainaya Jones had 11 points.

Both teams were evenly matched, finishing the first quarter with 14 points each.

Fairmont was up nine (25-16) with 6:16 left in the half before a jumper from Kennedi Simmons and Hadiya brought the Rams within five. Fairmont went into the half up 31-26.

A shift in momentum and a few more jumpers from Taniah Wilkins had the Rams down nine with 8:48 left to play in the third quarter. WSSU kept fighting and with 4:38 left in the quarter Jakaiya Mack brought Winston within one (42-41.) The Rams finished the quarter up 50-49.

Both teams had 11 field goals in the fourth quarter, but it was Fairmont State who came out on top winning the game 79-76.

WSSU is back in action in the Fairmont tournament taking on Concord University at 1 p.m.