WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Winston-Salem State University women's basketball team will continue conference play by traveling to Virginia State University on Thursday before playing Shaw University in Raleigh on Saturday.
 
Things to Know-Thursday
Location: Ettrick, Va. (Multipurpose Center)
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Media: Watch |Live Stats
Record: 6-6 (2-1 CIAA)
 
Things to Know-Saturday
Location: Raleigh, N.C. (C.C. Spaulding Gymnasium)
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Media: Watch
Record: 6-7 (0-2 CIAA)
 
Series vs VSU
Dating back to 2016, the Rams lead the series 8-7 with the last matchup being on January 6, 2022, where the Rams won 81-58.
 
Series vs Shaw
Dating back to 2006, the Bears lead the series 16-9 with the last matchup being on January 8, 2022, and the Rams won 96-44.
 
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 1-4
•              The Rams are third in scoring offense averaging 71.7 points per game.
•              WSSU is sixth in defense, only allowing teams 59.6 points per game.
•              Amaya Tucker is ranked second in scoring with 160 points and averaging 17.8 points. She is also third in field goal percentage (.482), third in 3-point field goals per game (2.1), third in free throw percentage (.795), and sixth in steals (2.4).
•              Jainaya Jones is ranked first in assists (3.6).
•              Taniah Wilkins is ranked fifth in rebounds (7.5).
•              Jakaiya Mack is ranked first in steals (3.2).
 
Setting Milestones
On January 14 when the Rams host St. Augustine's, WSSU will honor Amaya Tucker who has surpassed 1,000 career points in her collegiate career. She currently sits at 1,015 points.
 
Scouting Report
WSSU is 6-5 (2-1 CIAA) after falling to #2 Glenville State College on December 31st. The Lady Rams are averaging 71 points per game while allowing 59. They shoot 43% from the field, 35% from three-point range, and 66% from the foul line. WSSU averages 39 rebounds and 14 assists per game. They also are averaging 19 turnovers per game while allowing opponents to score 13 points off turnovers.
 
VSU is 6-6 (2-1 CIAA) and won a non-conference matchup against Barton College 68-62 on December 31st. The Trojans are shooting 35% from the field and are averaging 62 points per contest. They currently rank third in the conference in free throw percentage (72%). Sommer Blakemore leads the team with 15.3 points per game; shooting 40% from the field, and averages 3.5 free throws, 2.8 steals, and 3.3 assists per game. Kylah Webb leads the Trojans in rebounds, averaging 5.7 boards per game.
 
Shaw 6-7 (0-2 CIAA) play Johnson C. Smith tonight before hosting the Rams. They recently defeated Virginia University of Lynchburg 82-35 on January 2nd. They are 11th in scoring offense (62.2) and eighth on defense (60.2). The Bears are led by Brittiney Seymour who leads the team in scoring (13.1), rebounds averaging 8.6, and blocks (11).