ANDERSON, S.C. - For the fourth straight game, Anderson University women's basketball recorded a different high scorer as sophomore Katie Davis poured in 13 points to lead the Trojans to a 61-55 victory over Winston-Salem State Thursday night in non-conference action at the Abney Athletic Center.
Davis posted seven rebounds to go along with her 13 points, her second-highest point performance of her career to lead AU to its third straight victory of the young season. Junior Sierra Simpson tightly followed the forward with 12 points and eight rebounds, while classmate Jasmine Franklin tallied 11 points.
"We had a great effort tonight," head coach Jimmy Garrity said. "It was great to finally play at home. The crowd really helped us out when we needed them most."
Anderson jumped out the gate quickly, beginning the game on a 16-0 run, highlighted by Franklin's six points in the opening eight minutes of play. The Rams' first field goal of the evening came at the 10:08 mark in the first half when Dionna Scott dropped in a layup.
AU would take its largest lead of the game at the 8:50 mark when Simpson knocked down a jumper to increase the Trojan lead to 22-5.
Despite the fast start, the Rams inched back into the game going on a 22-6 run for the remainder of the half to close the gap within one at halftime. Scott would lead the WSSU charge with 10 points in 18 minutes of action, while Division I transfer Jasmine Elum notched eight.
Winston-Salem would grab its first lead of the game at the 17:35 mark when Scott hit a jumper and a Raven Fields 3-pointer would give the Rams their biggest advantage of the night at 36-33 at the 14:21 mark.
Facing the deficit, the Trojans clawed back, outscoring WSSU 17-9 for the next seven minutes, headlined by 3-point baskets from Woods and redshirt junior Emily Willoughby. Willoughby would eventually close the game with eight points, including tying for the team-lead with two made 3-pointers.
Despite the Rams taking a narrow 51-50 lead at the 3:49 mark, Simpson brought the Trojans back to life with five points in the remaining three minutes to seal the key non-conference victory.
"We beat a very good and well-coached Winston-Salem State team that is going to win a lot of games in the CIAA this season," Garrity said. "I was proud of the way our players responded to adversity by going up 16 and then losing the lead. That showed a lot of character and we will learn from this and be a better team for it."
Freshman Alexis Dillard, who found herself in found trouble for the majority of the night, posted four points with four rebounds in her second career start. Dillard now leads the team in rebounds with 31 and averages 7.8 boards per game.
The Rams were led by Scott who finished with a game-high 16 points and tied for the team-high in rebounds with six, while Elum and junior Jovonah Graham each posted 12 points. WSSU falls to 1-2 on the young season, now carrying a 1-1 record against South Atlantic Conference opponents as the Rams defeated Lincoln Memorial last week.
The Trojans are slated to play one more non-conference opponent before starting SAC play, as it will meet nationally-ranked USC Aiken for the second time this season on Nov. 18. Tip-off with the Pacers is set for 6 p.m.
