WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Winston-Salem State University women's basketball team will continue conference play by hosting Johnson C. Smith University on Thursday before traveling to Livingstone College on Saturday.
 
Things to Know- Thursday
Location: Winston-Salem, N.C. (C.E. Gaines Center)
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Media: Live Stats | Watch
Theme: Rep Your Area Code, Suits and Sneakers, and Greek Night
Record: 7-10 (3-5 CIAA)
 
Things to Know-Saturday
Location: Salisbury, N.C. (New Trent Gym)
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Media: Watch
Record: 6-12 (2-7 CIAA)
 
Series vs JCSU
Dating back to 2006, the Golden Bulls lead the series 21-6 with the last matchup being on February 16, 2022, where the Rams lost 80-87.
 
Series vs LC
Dating back to 2006, the Rams lead the series 14-11 with the last matchup being on February 19, 2022, and the Rams won 56-72.
 
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 1-24
•              The Rams are second in scoring offense averaging 68.9 points per game.
•              WSSU is sixth in defense, only allowing teams 58.4 points per game.
•              Amaya Tucker is ranked second in scoring with 251 points and averaging 16.7 points. She is also second in field goal percentage (.444), second in 3-point field goals per game (2.2), fifth in free throw percentage (.758), and fifth in steals (2.5).
•              Jainaya Jones is ranked first in assists (3.5).
•              Taniah Wilkins is ranked fourth in rebounds (6.8).
•              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 1,113 points.
 
Scouting Report
WSSU is 10-7 (6-3 CIAA) after falling to Fayetteville State on January 21st. The Lady Rams is averaging 68.9 points per game while allowing 58.4. They shoot 42% from the field, 33% from three-point range, and 66% from the foul line. WSSU averages 39.0 rebounds and 14 assists per game. They also are averaging 20 turnovers per game while allowing opponents to score 13 points off turnovers.
 
Johnson C. Smith University is 7-10 (3-5 CIAA) and won their last matchup against Livingstone College 54-50. The Golden Bulls are shooting 37% from the field and are averaging 67 points per contest. They currently rank seventh in the conference in free throw percentage (64%). Shaniya Jones leads the team with 18.6 points per game; shooting 38% from the field. India Howard leads the team in rebounding averaging 11.5.
 
LC is 6-12 (2-7 CIAA) and lost to Johnson C. Smith 50-54 on January 21st. They are 12th in scoring offense (59.7) and second on defense (57.4). The Blue Bears are led by Jamiah Lane who leads the team in scoring (9.2). Alexis Lake is the teams leading rebounder averaging (5.2).