Nov. 19, 2006

Final Stats

MONTGOMERY, AL - The Winston-Salem State University Lady Rams turned in a Herculean effort on Sunday evening in Montgomery, Alabama as they nearly stole a win from the Hornets of Alabama State University at the Joe L. Reed Acadome, ultimately falling in defeat by the score of 76-63.

The game's final margin of 13 points in no way indicated how close the contest truly was, nor does it show the effort or poise given forth by the Lady Rams of Winston-Salem State University as the Lady Rams cut three double-digit leads back to as close as one point during the contest.

The Lady Rams could have easily folded under the pressure of the unfriendly crowd at the Acadome, coupled with a double-digit deficit, yet the young WSSU team refused to quit, nearly earning their first win of the season.

The two teams traded baskets for the first 10 minutes of play as the Lady Rams held their first lead of the season, a four-point margin, midway through the half.  However, with WSSU trailing 24-22 with 7:25 to play in the half, the Hornets raced out to a 20-5 run over the next 6:11 of play as Alabama State University led by 17 points at 44-27 with 1:14 left in the first half of play.

The Lady Rams refused to quit and trimmed ASU's lead back to only 13 points headed into the locker room at the half as WSSU found themselves trailing 46-33 at the break.

WSSU wasted no time in continuing their comeback bid as the Lady Rams used the first 10 minutes of the second half to trim the lead back to an even more manageable margin as a pair of Shalonda Carter free-throws again got WSSU within one point at 54-53 with 9:31 to play in the contest.

However, lack of depth on the WSSU roster would eventually be the Lady Rams' undoing.  The Lady Rams, who played only eight players in the loss, would see the Hornets close out the contest on a 22-10 run as Alabama State hung on for the 76-63 win.

The win propels Alabama State University to 1-1 while the loss drops the Lady Rams to 0-4 on the season. 

Winston-Salem State was led by freshman guard Ja'Pel Sumpter's 19 points and two rebounds as she was one of two Lady Rams to record double-digit points on the evening.  Joining Sumpter in double-digits was senior forward Shalonda Carter who recorded 15 points and 12 rebounds.  Alabama State was led by Essence Butler's 19 points as she was one of three Hornets in double-figures.

The Lady Rams will have six days off without game action and will return to the court on November 25, 2006 at 2:00 pm when they play host to the Lady Golden Bulls of Johnson C. Smith University at the C.E. Gaines Center in Winston-Salem, NC.

For additional information on WSSUI 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.

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