WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Winston-Salem State University women's basketball team will continue southern divisional play by traveling to Claflin University on Wednesday before hosting Fayetteville State University on Saturday.
 
Things to Know-Wednesday
Location: Orangeburg, SC Jonas T. Kennedy Health, and Wellness Center (Tullis Arena)
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Media: Watch
Record: 9-6 (3-4 CIAA)
 
Things to Know-Saturday
Location: Winston-Salem, N.C. (C.E. Gaines Center)
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Media: Watch | Live Stats
Record: 10-5 (6-1 CIAA)
Theme: Camo Day
 
Series vs Claflin
Dating back to 2005, the Rams lead the series 7-3 with the last matchup being on February 10, 2022, where the Rams lost 61-73.
 
Series vs FSU
Dating back to 2006, the Rams lead the series 13-12 with the last matchup being on February 12, 2022, and the Rams won 73-56.
 
Ram Returners:
WSSU brings back six returners from last season's quad, junior Erin Hall, graduate student O'Shea Hatley, senior Kendra Ross, sophomore Kennedi Simmons, graduate student Amaya Tucker, and sophomore Tania Wilkins. They finished 12-13 and made it to the quarterfinals of the CIAA tournament last season.
 
Ram Newcomers:
Winston-Salem welcomed in five freshmen (JaKaiya Mack, Prophet Sheffield, Alexandria Warren, Aaliyah Basler, and Jada Douthit), three juniors Hadiya Balser, Jainaya Jones, Makayla Smith, and senior Valencia Carroll during the offseason.
 
CIAA Preseason:
Amaya Tucker was named to the 2022-2023 All-CIAA Women's Basketball Preseason Team Backcourt after finishing last season averaging 13.6 pts per game, 43.3% field goal, 36.7% 3pt, 66.7% from the free throw line, and 4.2 rebounds per game. Amaya's performance led to her achieving All-CIAA Backcourt in the postseason. She was also named to the CIAA All-tournament team.
 
CIAA Weekly Awards

• Jakaiya Mack was named the CIAA Women's Basketball Rookie Player of the Week for week one. She totaled 9 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, and three steals in a 1-1 weekend for the Rams. She had nine points, five rebounds, and two steals in her first collegiate game, which came against Fairmont State. The freshman added a team-high seven boards, plus two assists, and a steal in the 66-65 win over Concord.
• Jainaya Jones was named the CIAA Women's Basketball Defensive Player of the week for week three after recording 10 points, nine steals, five assists, and two blocks in the Rams' lone game last week-- a 79-46 win over Carolina University. The redshirt junior logged nine of the team's 19 steals, which finished with 33 points off turnovers. The Bayboro, NC native also logged the only two blocks of the game for Winston-Salem State.
• Taniah Wilkins was named the CIAA Women's Basketball Defensive Player of the week for week eight after recording a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds in the loss to #2 Glenville State last week. 11 boards from the sophomore were a game-high and she made five-of-six shots from the field.

 
CIAA Top-Ten Stats as of 1-17
•              The Rams are third in scoring offense averaging 70.1 points per game.
•              WSSU is fifth in defense, only allowing teams 58.3 points per game.
•              Amaya Tucker is ranked third in scoring with 216 points and averaging 16.6 points. She is also third in field goal percentage (.453), second in 3-point field goals per game (2.1), fourth in free throw percentage (.782), and third in steals (2.5).
•              Jainaya Jones is ranked first in assists (3.6).
•              Taniah Wilkins is ranked fifth in rebounds (7.0).
•              Jakaiya Mack is ranked first in steals (3.1).
 
Setting Milestones
Amaya Tucker has surpassed 1,000 career points in her collegiate career. She currently sits at 1,071 points.
 
Scouting Report
WSSU is 9-6 (5-2 CIAA) after defeating St. Augustine on January 14th. The Lady Rams are averaging 70.1 points per game while allowing 58.3. They shoot 42% from the field, 33% from three-point range, and 65% from the foul line. WSSU averages 39.5 rebounds and 14 assists per game. They also are averaging 20 turnovers per game while allowing opponents to score 13 points off turnovers.
 
Claflin University is 9-6 (3-4 CIAA) and lost their last matchup against Livingstone College 56-60. The Panthers are shooting 41% from the field and are averaging 70 points per contest. They currently rank first in the conference in free throw percentage (77%). Nya Morris leads the team with 13.0 points per game; shooting 48% from the field, and averages 5.3 rebounds for the Panthers.
 
FSU 10-5 (6-1 CIAA) beat Johnson C. Smith 70-60 on January 14th. They are 12th in scoring offense (59.7) and second on defense (57.4). The Broncos are led by Aniylah Bryant who leads the team in scoring (12.0). London Thompson is the teams leading rebounder averaging (6.7).