Winston-Salem State Women's Basketball Earns No. 1 CIAA Seed

Rams complete dramatic turnaround in first season under new head coach Tierra Terry

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The Winston-Salem State University women's basketball team has surged to the No. 1 seed in the Southern Division of the 2026 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) tournament, completing one of the most dramatic turnarounds in recent conference history. In her first season as head coach, Tierra Terry has guided the Rams to a program-record win total, a seven-game winning streak, and an undefeated home record.

Why it matters

The Rams' rise to the top of the CIAA Southern Division represents a remarkable achievement for a team that was picked to finish seventh in the preseason. Their success this season carries added meaning for head coach Tierra Terry, a Winston-Salem State alumna who became the 12th head coach in program history last April.

The details

The Rams' defense, built on forcing turnovers, controlling the glass, and limiting scoring chances, has powered their surge to the top of the standings. The single-elimination CIAA tournament will be held February 24-28 at CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore, with the women's championship game scheduled for Saturday at 1 p.m., followed by the men's championship at 4 p.m.

  • The Rams completed a program-record win total during the regular season.
  • The Rams went on a seven-game winning streak late in the year.
  • The Rams finished the regular season with an undefeated home record.

The players

Tierra Terry

The first-year head coach of the Winston-Salem State women's basketball team, who is a Winston-Salem State alumna and former player.

Fayetteville State

The defending CIAA women's basketball champion, who enters the tournament as the No. 2 seed in the Southern Division.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The Rams will open tournament play as the Southern Division's top seed, ahead of Fayetteville State, Claflin, Livingstone, Shaw, and Johnson C. Smith.

The takeaway

The Winston-Salem State women's basketball team's remarkable turnaround this season, led by first-year head coach Tierra Terry, has positioned them as the team to beat in the 2026 CIAA tournament. Their success reflects the program's resilience and the impact of Terry's coaching in her homecoming to the university.