Feb. 1, 2008

WINSTON-SALEM, NC - In an effort to raise cancer awareness both locally and nationally, the Winston-Salem State University Lady Rams coaching staff will wear sneakers instead of dress shoes when the Lady Rams (1-15) host the Florida A&M Lady Rattlers (9-9). As a part of a collaborative effort by The National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) and the American Cancer Society, the Lady Rams coaching staff will look to raise cancer awareness among WSSU fans, alumni, and supporters.

"We are wearing sneakers this weekend to support the Coaches vs. Cancer initiative," WSSU head coach Dee Stokes said. "But to also promote our upcoming `Think Pink' game."

Stokes will join a number of coaches across the nation who will take part in the effort including Duke's Mike Krzewski, Connecticut's Jim Calhoun, and Maryland's Gary Williams. The effort will be one of many cancer awareness efforts by the Lady Rams, highlighted by the team's "Think Pink" game against the Longwood Lancers on February 13^th at the C.E. Gaines Center on the campus of Winston-Salem State University.

"Please come out and support our efforts on February 13^th as we are attempting to `Pack the House on Think Pink Night'," Stokes added. "We are asking everyone to wear pink in this promotion and let's fight the good fight and find a cure!"

Though there will be a sight on the sidelines, the action on the court will not be missed when a pair of hungry teams take the court, Saturday evening. The Lady Rattlers will head into Saturday's game seeking to snap an eight-game skid that saw the team tumble from 9-1 to 9-9 overall and 1-6 in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play. The Lady Rams head into game having taken three straight losses, including a heartbreaking loss to the Norfolk State Lady Spartans, Monday night. The young Lady Rams will look to push the ball and score points against a Florida A&M team that is allowing opponents to score 63.5 points per game this season. A strong perimeter team, the Lady Rams could have a strong day with FAMU allowing opponents to shoot 35.3% from the three-point line.

The Lady Rams backcourt trio of freshmen guards Corbin Bradford, Rene Rector, and Nikki Kee will to give the team a lift on the perimeter as the three players have hit a combined 53 three-pointers this season. Of the three players, Bradford leads the way with an 8.4 ppg scoring average and has started 10 games for the Lady Rams this season. Rector has been the hot player of late scoring 18 points at Norfolk State, just six points shy of her career-high 24 points, which she scored against the Howard Lady Bison.

Across the court, the Lady Rams will face a FAMU team that is not shy about shooting the basketball with the team averaging 63.2 points per game and three active players averaging double-digit points per game this season. Leading the way for the Lady Rattlers will be junior guard Stephanie Foster, who is averaging 13.7 points per game. She is joined by senior guard Joselyne Jackson's 13.4 points per game and fellow senior guard Q'Vanda Curry's 10.4 points per game. Both players are ranked in the MEAC's top ten in scoring this season.

Manning the middle for the Lady Rattlers will be junior forward Denise Tate, who is second in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in rebounding at 9.5 rebounds per game.

The Lady Rams and Lady Rattlers are scheduled for a 5:30 p.m. tip-off at the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum Annex.