Winston-Salem, N.C. (Jan. 6, 2024)- The Virginia State University women's basketball team won their first game at Winston-Salem State University since 2017, 51-48. 

After nearly four minutes an Amesha Miller jumper got the Trojans on the board and started an 8-0 run making the score 8-4 five minutes into the game. Over the final five minutes the Rams managed to fight back to only have a one-point deficit at 15-14. The Trojans shot an incredible 50 % from both the field (6-12) and three (2-4). 

WSSU would outscore VSU by one point (7-6) in five minutes of the second quarter to tie the game at 21 all. Over the first half's final five minutes, both defenses stiffened up, and the score was 28-22 as Skylar White hit a buzzer-beating layup. 

WSSU came out red hot to start the third quarter as they scored six or the first eight points to cut it to a two-point game, 30-28 just three minutes into the period. The Trojans would score five points in a thirty second period to get a touchdown lead, 35-28 at the six-minute mark. Back-to-back buckets by White and White at the 3:40 mark gave VSU the largest lead for either team, nine points, 39-30. The Rams got the deficit down to two possessions multiple times, making the Trojans lead only 44-39 going into the final 10 minutes. 

After nearly four minutes without a field goal Miller hit a layup with eight minutes left in the game to make the score 46-39 for the Trojans. Miller would hit another jumper at the seven-minute mark and the Trojans would not hit another field goal until the four-minute mark when Mekayla Furman hit a floater to make the score 50-44. With just 90 seconds left in the game the Rams made it a two-point game, 50-48. A Tiyanna James foul shot with two seconds left were the only points scored in the last 90 seconds to help secure the win. 

James had 13 points for a game-high, Miller and White scored 11 and 10 points respectfully.  

With the win VSU improves to 13-1 and 5-1 in the CIAA, while WSSU drops to 5-9 and 0-5 in the conference. The team will next play at Livingstone College on Thursday January 11 at 5:30 p.m.