WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Winston-Salem State University women's basketball team will continue conference play by traveling to St. Augustine University on Saturday, February 4th.
Things to Know
Location: Raleigh, N.C. (Emery Gymnasium)
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Record: 6-12 (2-8 CIAA)
Series vs St. Augustine's
Dating back to 2006, the Rams lead the series 21-5 with the last matchup being on January 14, 2023, where the Rams won 86-54.
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 2-1
• The Rams are second in scoring offense averaging 68.6 points per game.
• WSSU is third in defense, only allowing teams 57.4 points per game.
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Amaya Tucker is ranked second in scoring with 286 points and averaging 16.8 points. She is also third in field goal percentage (.442), second in 3-point field goals per game (2.2), fifth in free throw percentage (.776), and fifth in steals (2.5).
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Jainaya Jones is ranked second in assists (3.4).
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Taniah Wilkins is ranked fourth in rebounds (6.8).
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Jakaiya Mack is ranked first in steals (3.0).
Setting Milestones
Amaya Tucker has surpassed 1,000 career points in her collegiate career. She currently sits at 1,148 points.
Scouting Report
WSSU is 12-7 (8-3 CIAA) after beating Livingstone College on January 28th. The Lady Rams are averaging 68.6 points per game while allowing 57.4. They shoot 41% from the field, 34% from the three-point range, and 65% from the foul line. WSSU averages 39.1 rebounds and 14 assists per game. They also are averaging 20 turnovers per game while allowing opponents to score 13 points off turnovers.
St. Augustine University is 6-12 (2-8 CIAA) and lost their last matchup against Fayetteville State University 53-76. The Falcons are shooting 40% from the field and are averaging 60 points per contest. They currently rank 11th in the conference in free throw percentage (60%). Taniyah Greene leads the team with 15.9 points per game; shooting 49% from the field and averaging six rebounds.
