RALEIGH, N.C. (Feb. 8) – Kaaliya Williams (So./Richmond, VA) scored 27 points for Saint Augustine’s University in a 66-63 CIAA women’s basketball loss to Winston-Salem State University at Emery Gymnasium on Wednesday, Feb. 7.
The score was knotted 61-61 with 1:58 remaining in the fourth period but the Rams scored five consecutive points for a 66-61 lead with nine seconds left. But Angela Caraballo (So./Richmond, VA) swished two free throws with 1.5 seconds left and the Rams threw the ball away on the ensuing inbounds pass, giving the Lady Falcons a chance to force overtime. Williams’ three-point attempt in the corner missed the mark, however, as time expired.
The miss was one of few in the second half for Williams, who scored a season-high in points. She scored 16 points in the third and fourth periods combined on 50 percent shooting to nearly spark an upset. For the contest, the sophomore forward snatched seven rebounds and was a perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line. She entered the game ranked third nationally in Division II in free throw percentage.
Caraballo added 10 points and Kamya Renwicks (So./Baltimore, MD) chipped in eight points, eight rebounds and three assists. Kelsee Arnold (Jr./Fayetteville, GA) scored seven points and Paulette Addison (Sr./Wilmington, NC) contributed six points and five rebounds for the Lady Falcons.
The contest was a complete contrast from their first matchup in Winston-Salem, N.C., won by the Rams 100-59 on Jan. 13 . On Wednesday, the Lady Falcons were ahead the first three periods with their largest lead reaching 10 at one point. They led at halftime (29-26) for only the fourth time this season.
The Lady Falcons maintained their lead until 7:34 in the fourth period when the Rams moved ahead 50-47 on a three-pointer. The deficit was brief as the Lady Falcons surged back in front 61-55 on Renwicks’ layup with 3:42 remaining. That would be the last score for the Lady Falcons until Caraballo’s two free throws in the final seconds.
Defense helped the Lady Falcons control most of the contest. They scored 26 points off 21 forced turnovers and shot 76.5 percent from the free throw line.
The taller Rams scored 30 points in the paint including 14 second-chance points to ease past the Lady Falcons. Tiana Edwards paced four double-figure scorers with 17 points and Kandace Tate added 15 points. Brionna Pate (13 points, 11 rebounds) and Briana Arnold (10 points, 10 rebounds) each recorded double-doubles.
The Lady Falcons host their third home game in a row on Saturday, Feb. 10, against Johnson C. Smith University. The contest, designated as Senior Day, is 2 p.m. inside Emery Gymnasium.
