Feb. 8, 2005
Winston-Salem, NC - For some, seven is a lucky number. However, that is not the case for the Lady Rams as WSSU dropped their seventh straight game, losing 63-61 to the Lady Falcons of Saint Augustine's College on Tuesday evening at the LJVM Coliseum Annex. With the loss, the Lady Rams fall to 10-11 overall (2-8 CIAA, 1-4 CIAA West) as WSSU has not won since January 11th, 2005.
The action on Tuesday was intense as two very determined teams faced off in another classic CIAA women's basketball contest. It may have been a bit chilly inside the LJVM Coliseum Annex on Tuesday evening, but both the Lady Rams and Lady Falcons both scorched the nets in the first half of play as both teams shot nearly 50% from the field during the game's first 20 minutes.
The Lady Rams narrowly outshot Saint Augustine's during the first 20 minutes of play as WSSU connected on 16 of their first 33 first-half field goals to post a shooting percentage of 48.5%.
Not to be outdone, the Lady Falcons hit 12 of their first 27 shots, including posting a 4-of-12 performance from behind the three-point line en route to putting 36 points on the scoreboard as they found themselves trailing the host-team Lady Rams 38-36 at the half.
It was the WSSU frontcourt that dazzled fans during the first half as Shalonda Carter (Fayetteville, NC) and Janet Robinson (Durham, NC) both posted a dozen points as they accounted for 63.1% of WSSU's offensive output during the first half (24 of 38 total points).
The second half started out slowly for the Lady Rams as Saint Augustine's immediately went on a 6-0 run to start the second half as the Lady Falcons turned a two-point halftime deficit into a four-point advantage only two minutes into the second period of play.
The Lady Rams immediately responded as they answered the SAC surge with a run of their own, taking the lead back as a Lady Falcon timeout with 12:56 to play in the contest saw WSSU holding a four-point cushion at 48-44.
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The outcome of the game would come down to the final minute as it looked as though the Lady Rams would perhaps force their third straight overtime game. It was not to be however as Nikki Eason's long three-point attempt to tie would draw the right side of the iron and fall out of bounds. The game would then come down to free throws.
SAC's All-Rookie Team guard Valicia Brown calmly stepped to the free throw line as she turned a three-point Lady Falcon lead into a five point lead. Kadina Baldwin and the Lady Rams would give it one last push however as Baldwin drove the length of the court, laid the ball in and was fouled.
After hitting her free throw, the game would be a two point game with 11 seconds to play before the final horn. The Lady Rams then turned the ball over and watch time expire as they fell in defeat for the seventh straight time.
Leading the way for the Rams was Janet Robinson with 18 points on 9-for-15 shooting. The Lady Falcons were led by Valicia Brown who tallied 21 points and 11 rebounds as she once again proved why she should be honored with All-CIAA status.
With the loss, the Lady Rams fall to 10-11 overall and fall to 2-8 in the CIAA (1-4 CIAA West) in the process. WSSU has now lost its seventh straight game, and has not won since January 11th, 2005. The win propels Saint Augustine's to 13-10 overall and 5-8 in the CIAA (2-5 CIAA West).
WSSU will return to action on Thursday, February 10th, 2005 at 5:30 pm as they will play host to the Lady Blue Bears of Livingstone College at the C.E. Gaines Center in another CIAA Western Division women's basketball contest.
For additional information on WSSU women's basketball, contact the WSSU Office of Sports Information at (336) 750-2143 or log on to the Official Website of WSSU Athletics at www.WSSURAMS.com
