WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.  - It was a classic CIAA Southern Division battle until the end, but the Winston-Salem State women's basketball team couldn't overcome Johnson C. Smith and lost 87-80 at the C.E. Gaines Center Wednesday night.  The Rams fell to 11-11 overall, 7-8 in conference play, and 5-4 in the division.  The Golden Bulls clinched the division with an 8-1 record.

Kendra Ross was one rebound shy of a double-double with nine rebounds and 21 points.  Kennedi Simmons was 6-7 from the field and 3-3 at the three-point and finished with 16 points.  Amaya Tucker had a double-double with 11 rebounds and 15 points.  Brooke Spaulding dished out 10 assists.

JCSU held a three-point lead after one quarter.  The Rams responded in the second quarter, outscoring the Golden Bulls by six to take a 44-41 halftime lead.  Smith held a 64-60 lead after three. 

O'Shae Hatley 's layup with 8:17 to play in the game tied the score at 64-64.  Smith went ahead by six, 74-68, with 5:52 remaining on Tori Reid's two free throws.  Tucker's three-pointer less than a minute later closed the gap to 74-71.  Simmons connected on a three-pointer to tie the game at 74 with 5:12 on the clock.

The Golden Bulls managed to keep the Rams at bay the final four minutes.

WSSU's bench, led by Hatley with eight points and six rebounds, outscored Smith, 21-15.  Laichelle Sparrow added five points and five boards as the Rams outrebounded JCSU 46-34.  'SU dominated in second-chance points, 20-7.

JCSU outscored the Rams 17-9 in points off turnovers and controlled the paint with a 20-point advantage.  WSSU was 8-19 from the three-point line for 42.1%, while Smith managed only one of 16 attempts for 6.3%. The Golden Bulls shot 46.3% from the field (31-67).  'SU was 28-66 for 42.4%. 

The Rams travel to Livingstone for a 2 p.m. game on Saturday to end the regular season.  Pairings for next week's CIAA Tournament in Baltimore will be announced late Saturday or early Sunday.