Box Score WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Saint Augustine's University picked up steam late in the first half and never relinquished control in a 62-59 CIAA women's basketball win over Winston-Salem State University at the Gaines Center on Saturday, January 17, 2015.
The win put the Lady Falcons (1-0 Southern Division, 3-3 CIAA, 9-6 overall) in an early first-place tie in their Southern Division opener. They snapped a two-game losing streak by defeating a CIAA divisional foe in a traditionally tough environment for opposing teams.
Playing on their home court, the Lady Rams opened an 18-10 lead in the first half. The Lady Falcons eventually settled down and rallied to take a 25-20 halftime lead. They never trailed in the second half, building a 12-point lead before withstanding a late rally.
"This was a great win against a good team," Lady Falcons' Head Coach Rachel Bullard said. "We fought hard and never let up. I am so happy with our team defense."
The quicker Lady Falcons bothered the taller Lady Rams on both ends of the floor. The Lady Rams (1-0 Southern Division, 2-4 CIAA, 6-10 overall) struggled to run their offense as they committed 25 turnovers and shot 37 percent. Offensively, guard Porscha Walton (Jr./Chesterfield, VA) penetrated her way to 18 points for the Lady Falcons. Forward Terri Jacobs (Jr./McDonough, GA) had her way in the paint with 16 points and 11 rebounds. The double-double was her seventh this season and fifth in eight games.
Guard Jeanne-Marie Wilson (Jr./Temple Hills, MD) added seven points, seven rebounds and three steals, and guard Regime McCombs (Jr./Greenville, SC) had seven points and four steals for the Lady Falcons. Guard LaKiya Rouse (Jr./Greensboro, NC) chipped in six points and six rebounds, and Walton had seven rebounds. Dionna Scott led the Lady Rams with 13 points and Kesheria McNeil added 11 points.
Led by Jacobs, the Lady Falcons outrebounded the Lady Rams 43-35 by beating them to the ball. The Lady Rams also committed 26 fouls against the faster Lady Falcons, which led to the visiting team making more trips to the free throw line. The Lady Falcons made 21 of 32 free throw attempts and the Lady Rams were 10 of 14 from the charity stripe.
The Lady Falcons shot 39 percent for the game and committed 25 turnovers, but hit 50 percent of their shots in the second half to hold off the Lady Rams, who trimmed their double-digit deficit to three points three times including the final score in the last 5:30.
Leading 54-51 with 2:59 left, the Lady Falcons finished strong. Coming out of a timeout, the Lady Falcons went on an 8-5 run for a six-point lead with 10 seconds left. The Lady Rams swished a three-pointer for the final margin.
The Lady Falcons are home for their next divisional contest. They host Johnson C. Smith University at the Harvey D. Heartley Sr. Court at Emery Gymnasium on Wednesday, January 21, 2015. Game time is 5:30 p.m.
