Winston-Salem State Dominates Claflin, Advances to CIAA Women’s Championship

BALTIMORE, MD — February 27, 2026

Winston-Salem State left no doubt.

In one of the most dominant performances of the CIAA Women’s Tournament, the Rams (25–3) overwhelmed Claflin (17–9) from start to finish, rolling to a commanding 67–32 semifinal victory Thursday afternoon inside CFG Bank Arena.

Behind a complete two-way performance from Food Lion Player of the Game Nevaeh Farmer, Winston-Salem State punched its ticket to championship Saturday — and sent a clear message to the rest of the conference in the process.

Rams Take Control Early

From the opening possession, Winston-Salem State’s defensive pressure dictated everything.

Farmer opened the scoring with a driving layup, setting the tone for a relentless defensive effort that immediately rattled Claflin. The Rams forced turnovers, contested every shot, and turned defense into offense, sprinting out to a commanding 20–5 first-quarter lead.

Claflin struggled to even get looks at the basket, attempting just six shots in the opening period while committing multiple turnovers against WSSU’s aggressive pressure.

The game’s momentum never shifted back.

Dominance in the Paint

While the perimeter defense fueled the early run, Winston-Salem State controlled the interior behind Maia Charles, who delivered a powerful double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds.

Second-chance points and transition opportunities continued to pile up as the Rams stretched the lead to 37–14 by halftime, firmly in control.

Every rebound, loose ball, and defensive stop seemed to fall WSSU’s way.

Complete Team Performance

The Rams showcased depth throughout the afternoon.

• Breonna Roaf added seven points and three assists while pushing tempo.

• Jakaiya Mack contributed eight points and eight rebounds with physical play inside.

• Bench energy from Amari Baldwin and TaNiya Simms helped maintain defensive intensity and extend the lead.

Meanwhile, Claflin struggled to find answers. Ariel Lucas led the Panthers with nine points, including three three-pointers, while Ashari Lewis added seven. But Winston-Salem State’s pressure proved overwhelming.

Claflin finished just 11-of-37 from the field and committed 26 turnovers — many converted directly into Rams scoring opportunities.

Defense Defines the Statement Win

The numbers reflected total control:

• 38 points in the paint

• 20 points off turnovers

• 44 rebounds

• Season-low 32 points allowed

Even as Claflin attempted a late fourth-quarter push, Winston-Salem State never allowed momentum to shift. Farmer capped the performance with key scoring and playmaking down the stretch, finishing with 19 points, five rebounds, four assists, and three steals.

Winston-Salem State now advances to the CIAA Women’s Basketball Championship Game, returning to the title stage as one of the conference’s most complete teams. The Rams will face Fayetteville State on Saturday at 1:00 PM in Baltimore with the championship on the line.