WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (Jan. 14, 2019) – Winston-Salem State exploded for 52 points in the second half to run past Elizabeth City State, 78-65, in a CIAA showdown in the C.E. Gaines Center.
 
The Vikings (11-7, CIAA 4-4) had battled to a 29-26 halftime edge by limiting the Rams (8-7, CIAA 4-2) to just five points in the second quarter.  Junior forward Naterria Luster netted 11 of her game-high tying 23 points during the opening 20 minutes while helping limit WSSU to 23.8% (10-42) shooting.
 
Senior forward Brionna Pate poured in 18 of her 22 points and sophomore guard Nyona Shields netted all 15 of her points in the second half when the Rams connected on 21 of 40 (52.5%) of their field goal tries including seven of 13 accuracy (53.8%) from 3-point range to race past the visitors.
 
Luster posted her seventh double-double by adding 10 rebounds with two blocked shots.  Senior guard Jalyn Brown sank 11 of 12 free throw attempts to finish with 21 points with four rebounds and three assists. 
 
Freshman guard Asia Deal knocked down two of four shots from beyond the arc on her way to 11 points and three assists.  Her treys were the only makes in eight tries by the Vikings.  Junior forward Markeia Porter notched seven points and eight rebounds.
 
Freshman guard Amaya Tucker drained five of 10 shots from long range on her way to 23 points while Pate hauled down a game-high 17 rebounds to help WSSU build a 51-39 edge in rebounding.