Dec. 5, 2006

Final Stats

WINSTON-SALEM, NC - Winston-Salem State University committed 28 turnovers which the visiting Mountaineers turned into 22 points as Appalachian State University earned a 66-52 victory over the Lady Rams at the C.E. Gaines Center in women's basketball action on Tuesday evening.

The two teams traded baskets and turnovers during a first half of play that saw the lead tied seven times and change seven times as each team committed 14 turnovers during the first 20 minutes of play.

It would be ASU's keen shooting during the half that would propel them to a seven-point lead at 31-24 headed into the locker room for the halftime intermission as the Mountaineers shot a scorching 65% (13-of-20) from the field.

Second half action saw the visiting Mountaineers push their lead to as many as 17 points as ASU continued to shoot well from the field.

The young Lady Rams, under the guidance of head coach Dee Stokes, never let the game get out of hand as they rallied to keep the lead near 10 points for the majority of the half.

"We played better in the second half at times.  We kept this game from getting out of hand.  Appalachian State is a great second-half team and they tried to blow this game open and our young ladies didn't let it happen.  It was a teaching moment and we responded well, for that I am proud.  The turnovers are a different story.  We had far too many tonight and you can't win giving that many possessions away" head coach Dee Stokes said following the game.

The Lady Rams kept the Mountaineers close in the game's waning moments as solid defensive play and the offense of Shalonda Carter held the game's final margin to only 14 points as ASU earned the 66-52 win.

Carter led WSSU with 22 points and eight rebounds as she was the only WSSU player in double figures.  Appalachian State, a team that averages four starters in double figures was held under their average as only three players scored more than 10 points as GiGi Thomas led the Mountaineers with 16 points.

The loss drops WSSU to 2-7 on the season while ASU improves to 5-4 overall with the win.  The Lady Rams return to action on December 9, 2006 at 2:00 pm as they face the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore in Princess Anne, Maryland.

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.

- wssurams.com -