Dec. 16, 2006

Final Stats

WINSTON-SALEM, NC -- A very young Winston-Salem State University women's basketball team, under the guidance of head coach Dee Stokes, rallied from a 13-point second-half deficit to defeat the Spartans of Norfolk State University 56-47 at the C.E. Gaines Center on Saturday afternoon.

The game looked to be over nearly as soon as it began as the Lady Rams jumped out to a 13-0 lead only 4:14 seconds into the contest as four of WSSU's five starters scored points en route to a double-digit lead prior to Norfolk State's first points.

Following the game's first media timeout the Spartans took the WSSU lead away as quickly as the Lady Rams had built it as NSU mounted a 13-0 run of their own to tie the contest at 13-13 with 11:23 remaining in the first half of play.

The two teams traded pairs of baskets over the next two minutes of play before the Spartans mounted their second run of the game as they closed the first half with a 14-1 run, enabling NSU to take a 13-point advantage into the locker room at halftime leading 34-21.

Second-half action belonged to the Lady Rams as WSSU outscored the Spartans 35-13 over the game's final 20 minutes of play en route to earning their third victory of the season.

A Shalonda Carter basket with 5:07 to play in the game gave the Lady Rams their first lead of the second half at 45-44 as WSSU retook a lead that they would never relinquish.

Following Carter's basket the Lady Rams mounted their final run of the game, a 9-1 stretch that sealed the nine-point win and earned WSSU their third win of the season, and second over NSU.

"We started with a bang, jumping out 13-0, but then we gave it all back.  However, we are a young team, and despite that, our kids showed a lot of character, passion, and pride, and I'm very happy with our effort, particularly in the second half of play.  This is a good win for us."  WSSU head coach Dee Stokes said in post game interviews.

The Lady Rams were led by Lavontay Johnson (Charlotte, NC/E.E. Waddell H.S.) who tallied a team-high 13 points and led four players in double-figures.  She was joined by Candace Saunders (12), Keoshia Worthy (11), and Shalonda Carter (10) who each scored ten or more points.  Carter recorded yet another double-double as she pulled down 12 rebounds to go with her 10 points.

Norfolk State was led by Ashley Green's 14 points as she was the lone Spartan to break the double-digit scoring barrier.

WSSU improves to 3-9 with the win while Norfolk State falls to 1-8 overall with the loss.  The Lady Rams return to action on Tuesday, December 19, 2006 at 7:00 pm as they play host to the Tigers of Towson at the C.E. Gaines Center.

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.

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