WS Chronicle

Staff Report

The Winston-Salem Chronicle

— For generations of Lady Rams who built the foundation but never saw a banner raised, Saturday’s final buzzer felt like history answered.

The Winston-Salem State University women’s basketball team captured its first CIAA tournament championship Feb. 28, defeating Fayetteville State University 60-43 at CFG Bank Arena to secure the 2026 conference crown. The victory, earned on one of HBCU basketball’s biggest stages, marks a milestone moment for the program and for a Winston-Salem community that has long supported its Rams.

The win came during the CIAA Women’s Basketball Tournament in Baltimore, where alumni and fans gather annually in a celebration of Black college athletics, culture and tradition.

For WSSU, the championship represents both arrival and affirmation.

A Defensive Statement on the Big Stage

The Lady Rams set the tone early, jumping out to a 17-9 lead after the first quarter and stretching the advantage to 37-18 by halftime. Their defensive pressure disrupted Fayetteville State’s rhythm throughout the game, limiting the Broncos to 43 points and generating 13 steals that fueled transition opportunities.

Winston-Salem State shot 22-of-59 from the field (37.3%) and connected on seven three-pointers. The Rams maintained control through the second half, denying Fayetteville State any sustained comeback attempt and ending the Broncos’ bid for a third consecutive CIAA tournament title.

Nevaeh Farmer led all scorers with 24 points in a poised, championship-caliber performance. Makayla Waleed added 14 points, providing critical balance as the Rams managed tempo and possessions down the stretch.

The defensive identity that carried WSSU through the tournament was on full display — active hands, disciplined rotations and physical rebounding that reflected weeks of preparation and belief.

“We Did This for You”

Head Coach Tierra Terry, in her first season leading her alma mater, framed the victory as a shared achievement with the women who came before this team.

“We did this for you guys,” Terry said after the game, addressing former Lady Rams in attendance. “Without women like that, we wouldn’t be here right now … we were just the ones blessed enough to get that banner first.”

Her words underscored the generational significance of the moment.

For decades, Lady Rams teams competed in the shadow of conference powers, building respect but never capturing the tournament title. Saturday’s win rewrites that narrative and plants Winston-Salem State firmly in the CIAA championship conversation.

Why This Matters at Home

At an HBCU like WSSU, athletics extend beyond the scoreboard. They shape institutional pride, alumni engagement and student recruitment. Success on the court can elevate visibility, strengthen fundraising efforts and reinforce the university’s brand across North Carolina and beyond.

For Winston-Salem where WSSU remains an anchor institution — the championship provides a unifying moment. Families, alumni chapters and longtime supporters who have invested emotionally and financially in the program now see tangible results.

The CIAA tournament itself carries economic and cultural weight, drawing thousands of visitors and spotlighting Black excellence on a national stage. WSSU’s victory ensures that when the 2026 tournament is remembered, Winston-Salem will be part of the headline.

A Championship Welcome Awaits

The celebration does not end in Baltimore.

On Sunday, March 1, the university invites the community to welcome home the CIAA Champion Lady Rams as they returned to campus with the trophy in hand.

According to university officials, the team bus — escorted by Winston-Salem police — is scheduled to enter campus between 4 and 4:30 p.m. via Reynolds Park Road and proceed to the traffic circle near Gaines Gymnasium, where players and coaches will disembark.

University leaders, including Chancellor Bonita J. Brown, are expected to greet the team alongside students, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters. The university encouraged the campus and broader community to line the streets in red and white to give the Lady Rams a celebration “worthy of their achievement.”

The homecoming moment offers more than fanfare. It provides current students a visible example of excellence, discipline and teamwork — values the university says define Ram pride.

What Comes Next

With the CIAA championship secured, the Lady Rams now await confirmation of postseason play. CIAA tournament champions typically receive automatic bids to the NCAA Division II tournament, though official selections are announced separately by the NCAA.

Regardless of what comes next, the 2026 Lady Rams have already secured their place in university history.

For the first time, Winston-Salem State’s women’s basketball program returns home as CIAA champions — greeted not only by applause, but by a community that understands the weight of what they’ve accomplished.

A banner will hang. A trophy will shine.

And in Winston-Salem, a new chapter for the Lady Rams has begun.