Fayetteville, N.C. – The Winston-Salem State University women’s basketball team had their winning streak of sixteen games broken in a tough match against Fayetteville State University, losing 72-52 in the Felton J. Capel Arena.
The Rams now hold a record of 16 wins and 2 losses (7-1 in the CIAA, 2-1 in the South). Makayla Waleed led the team with a strong performance, scoring 19 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. Nevaeh Farmer added 14 points to the scoreboard.
In terms of stats, the Rams shot 18-for-74 from the field and struggled with their three-point shooting at 5-for-25. They managed to sink 16 out of 19 free throws. The team also dominated the boards with 50 rebounds, scored 20 points in the paint, and caused 17 turnovers, which led to 10 points scored off those turnovers.
Game Highlights:
The action kicked off with Waleed sinking a three-pointer to give the Rams an early 3-0 lead. They held a slight advantage at the end of the first quarter, leading 9-7. But things started to shift in the second quarter. Fayetteville State tied the game at 13-13 and took control with a 9-3 run, pushing ahead 22-16. Waleed kept the Rams in it with a three-pointer, ending the half down by just four points at 29-25.
The third quarter saw Farmer tie the game again at 29-29 with a pair of free throws. However, Fayetteville State quickly responded, widening the gap to 55-44 by the end of the quarter. The Rams made a comeback attempt in the fourth quarter, narrowing the score to 55-50, but Fayetteville extended their lead with a decisive 9-0 run that sealed the match.
Upcoming, the Lady Rams are set to host Johnson C. Smith University on January 29, with the tip-off scheduled for 5:30 PM at the C.E. Gaines Center.
This game shows the tough competition within the conference. According to a recent study by the NCAA, teams with winning streaks like the Rams experience intense pressure and scrutiny, which can impact performance. As teams continue to evolve throughout the season, their mental resilience becomes just as crucial as their physical skills. As fans, it’s exciting to see how this will unfold in the upcoming games.
For more details on team performances and statistics, you can visit the NCAA’s official site here.
