Lady Rams Fall at JCSU, 86-69

Charlotte, NC - The Winston-Salem State University Lady Rams traveled to Charlotte, NC on Saturday evening to take on the Lady Golden Bulls of Johnson C. Smith University looking to push their win streak to a season-high four games. However, the Lady Rams failed to get the job done as the Lady Golden Bulls ended WSSU's three-game win streak, and avenged an earlier-season one point loss at the CE Gaines Center.

The story remained the same for the Lady Rams as they fell behind after the opening tip and would be forced to play catch-up for the majority of the contest. Finding themselves in a 5-0 hole, WSSU tried to mount comeback after comeback, but the taller Golden Bulls stuck to their game plan and beat the Lady Rams at their own game, scoring numerous transition-game baskets to hold on to their lead.

The Lady Rams would take the lead midway through the first half at 11-10, but it was only for a moment as All-CIAA candidate Joi Surrat would bury a seventeen-foot jumper and put the Lady Golden Bulls back in front 12-11. From there, the Lady Rams would never lead again as JCSU would open up a nine point lead late in the first stanza. The half would come to a close with the Lady Rams making a run, but only being able to cut the Lady Golden Bull lead to seven would find themselves going into the locker room trailing their CIAA Western Division rival 38-31.

The second half began with the Golden Bulls going on a run and sneaking away from the Lady Rams putting some distance between the two teams. Again JCSU stuck to their game plan showing patience and controlling the tempo of the game.

The game was a physical one, as the larger Golden Bulls were the beneficiary of lenient officiating as they used their physicality against the smaller Lady Rams, beating up the faster WSSU guards and forcing turnovers. Due to the officiating, the usually mild-mannered Ram head coach John Williams would get riled up enough to earn his first technical foul of the season. However, the penalty from the officials would fail to get his team excited enough to mount a rally, as the Lady Rams still appeared sluggish, never being able to mount a serious comeback.

The game would come down to the last three minutes of play with the Lady Rams trailing 82-66. Aletha Corpening would drill a deep three-point field goal to cut the deficit to 13 points at 82-69 and thoughts of a comeback were again floating around. However back to back turnovers and back to back buckets by Adrian Pettaway and the comeback thoughts would fade as the Lady Golden Bulls would earn the 86-69 victory, avenging the earlier 64-63 loss that the Lady Rams handed them as the final buzzer sounded at the CE Gaines Center.

Leading the way for the Lady Rams, and completing a very successful individual week, was Phinnie Matthews who led the Lady Rams in scoring for the third straight game as she tallied a game-high 20 points while collecting four rebounds, two steal and an assist. Pacing the Lady Golden Bulls was Annie Deroy who followed Matthews closely as she collected 19 points.

With the loss the Lady Rams fall to 14-9 overall and 9-4 in the CIAA. The loss is only the Lady Rams second of the season in the CIAA Western Division as they remain in good shape to capture one of the top two seeds and the bye in the first round of the CIAA Tournament.

WSSU is in action again on Tuesday as they will make the short trip to Salisbury, NC to take on Livingstone College.