RALEIGH, N.C. (Jan. 15) - Saint Augustine's University is starting to like playing Winston-Salem State in women's basketball at Emery Gymnasium. 

The Lady Falcons topped the Rams for the second straight time at home, this time by a tight score of 69-68 on Saturday. The last time both teams tangled at Emery Gymnasium, the Lady Falcons won by three points during the 2019-20 season. 

Saturday's contest, which gave the Lady Falcons their first CIAA win under first-year coach Ebony Tanner, mirrored the victory of two years ago. The Lady Falcons pulled off the win by making plays down the stretch. 

With the outcome hanging in the balance, Jada Swafford (Sr./Alexandria, LA) made a nifty pass to Milequa Eason (Sr./Woodland, NC) for a layup to give the Lady Falcons a 66-62 lead with 22 seconds left in the contest. 

WSSU answered with a three-pointer, but Swafford canned two free throws for a 68-65 lead with nine seconds left. After a WSSU timeout, the Lady Falcons forced a turnover when a Rams player stepped out of bounds as she attempted a three-pointer. 

Destiny Byfield (Sr./Brooklyn, NY) nailed a free throw to finish off the Rams with two seconds remaining. The Rams swished a three-pointer as the horn sounded but it didn't matter in the Southern Division opener for the Lady Falcons.  

Swift ball movement led to a balanced scoring attack as five players scored seven or more points.Taniyah Greene (Fr./Cheltenham, MD) led the way with a season-high 20 points on 7 of 9 shooting and a season-high three blocks for the Lady Falcons (1-3 CIAA, 5-7 overall). 

Eason added nine points and Swafford and Lauren Banks (Fr./Clinton, MD) added eight points apiece. Byfield finished with seven points. 

Brooke Spaulding scored 18 points and Kennedi Simmons added 15 points for the Rams (2-3 CIAA, 6-6 overall). 

The Lady Falcons are back on the court Monday, Jan. 17, at home against Virginia Union. Game time is 2 p.m.