Winston-Salem State Women's Basketball Charges Toward CIAA Championship

The Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) Rams women's basketball team is making a strong push toward the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) championship, as they clinched a spot in the semifinal round for the first time since 2020.

WSSU 71, Bluefield State 49

The No. 19 Rams steamrolled past Bluefield State 71-49 at CFG Bank Arena, improving their stellar record to 24-3 under the leadership of first-year head coach Tierra Terry. WSSU is now one step closer to capturing the program's first-ever CIAA women's basketball title.

"Bluefield State came out and definitely made us fight and work for it. We knew that this was going to be a tough matchup because of how aggressive and fast and they pressed the whole game."

- WSSU Head Coach Tierra Terry

The Bluefield State pressure tested the Rams early, but WSSU made critical defensive adjustments, particularly in containing Jasmine Jenkins, to take control of the game. After leading 40-34 at halftime, the Rams separated themselves in the second half by dominating the rebounding battle 47-35 and outscoring Bluefield State 31-15 over the final two quarters.

Makayla Waleed, a Maryland native and former Temple player, also had a standout performance with 19 points and 6 rebounds.

"The CIAA has been nice. I mean, the banquet was lovely, but it's a tough conference. Every day we are just trying to bring our best selves to fight and move on to the championship. Taking it one day at a time. But it means a lot coming back home and getting to play back in Maryland. My family gets to come and watch me. So it's just a great feeling."

- WSSU Guard Makayla Waleed

With momentum and confidence, WSSU now turns its attention to Friday's semifinal matchup, where they will face the winner of the Claflin vs. Virginia State quarterfinal.

HBCUConnect Perspective: The WSSU Rams' remarkable run to the CIAA semifinals is a testament to the talent and resilience of HBCU student-athletes. This accomplishment showcases the competitive spirit and determination that define the HBCU sports experience. As the Rams push forward, their journey will inspire the entire HBCU community to rally behind their pursuit of a historic championship. Moments like these highlight the pride and unity that emanate from the HBCU landscape, reinforcing the invaluable role these institutions play in cultivating excellence both on and off the court.

Originally reported by HBCU Gameday.