WSSU Lady Rams Make History, Claim First-Ever CIAA Conference Title

The Winston-Salem State Rams have completed an incredible turnaround, claiming their first-ever Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) conference championship with a dominant 60-43 victory over Fayetteville State.

In their inaugural season under Head Coach Tierra Terry, a WSSU alum, the Lady Rams have gone from worst to first, improving from a dismal 7-20 record last year to an impressive 23-3 campaign this season - setting a new school record for wins.

After claiming a share of the CIAA South division title, the Lady Rams steamrolled through the conference tournament, routing Bluefield State 71-49 in the opener and then dominating Claflin 67-32 in the semifinals to reach the championship game.

There, they spoiled Fayetteville State's bid for a third straight CIAA title, stifling the Broncos' offense and getting a hot shooting performance from guard Nevaeh Farmer, who knocked down 4 of her 5 three-pointers in the first half to help WSSU build a commanding 19-point halftime lead.

"I think it started, I'll always say it starts with the mind," said Coach Terry about the key to the Rams' turnaround. "We recruited people who wanted to win and who knew what it takes to win.



Our young women are tough and resilient, and good things happened to us."

Fayetteville State, the defending champions, could never recover, as WSSU's relentless defensive pressure limited them to just 25% shooting in the first half. The Rams cruised to the historic victory, denying the Broncos' bid for a three-peat.

With the conference championship, Winston-Salem State has now earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Tournament, where they will look to continue their Cinderella run on the national stage.

HBCUConnect.com Perspective

This remarkable turnaround story for the Winston-Salem State Lady Rams is exactly the kind of inspirational narrative that resonates throughout the HBCU community. After a dismal season just a year ago, this team has completely transformed itself under the leadership of a dedicated alumna in Coach Tierra Terry, showcasing the power of HBCU pride and the determination to succeed against all odds.

The Lady Rams' historic first-ever CIAA title is a triumph not just for WSSU, but for all HBCUs striving to compete at the highest levels of collegiate athletics. This achievement demonstrates the immense talent and potential that exists within our institutions, and will undoubtedly motivate other HBCU programs to reach new heights. As the Lady Rams now set their sights on the NCAA Tournament, the entire HBCU community will be cheering them on, eager to witness another chapter in this Cinderella story.

Originally reported by HBCU Sports.