When Tierra Terry walked back into the C.E. Gaines Center last spring on the day she was introduced as the new Winston-Salem State women’s basketball coach, it wasn’t just another coaching stop — it was a homecoming.
“I feel like the third time’s a charm. I’m really excited to be back, just trying to make as much of an impact as I can here,” Terry, a former WSSU player, told HBCU Sports.
So far, that impact is undeniable. The Rams are currently on an 11-game winning streak, blending returning players, freshmen, and key transfers into one of the CIAA’s strongest teams.
That is a far cry from the 7-20 record the Rams had last season.
“I just think that we have some winners — people who have a very competitive spirit,” Terry said. “Our team really has a bond. They play for each other. For me personally, I’m a faith-first person, and I don’t feel like we could have done what we’ve done without God.”
WSSU Rams have quickly come together
Despite a new coaching staff and several new additions to the team, the Rams have found chemistry fast — something she admits is rare in today’s transfer-heavy era.
“It is surprising, because in this era of basketball you see so much movement,” she said. “We’ve got five freshmen, and for them to come in and be accepted and compete the way they have — that’s exciting. You don’t always see that.”
Among the standouts is transfer forward Maia Charles, who played for Terry at Virginia Union last season and was the CIAA Rookie of the Year. She’s been a force in the paint, averaging 14 points per game on 55.6 percent shooting from the field for the Rams.
“I told her not to be satisfied with just one award,” Terry said. You can see her growth — she’s taken every challenge head-on.”
Terry also credited transfers Nevaeh Farmer and senior Makayla Waleed for bolstering the Rams’ lineup, while noting several returners who’ve stepped into new roles.
“It’s just the right combination,” she said. “Everyone has the same goal — to compete.”
And the Rams have done that, especially on the road, where the team boasts a 6-1 record — a mark that showcases the type of growth the group has undergone.
Terry aims for bigger goals amid hot start
As the Rams begin CIAA conference play against Bluefield State tonight and a slate of contenders follows, such as Elizabeth City State, Virginia State and Shaw, Terry’s message to her team is simple: stay humble, stay focused.
“We’ve worked very hard to get here. Of course, people are going to doubt you, but we have to keep believing in ourselves and having each other’s backs,” she said. “Negativity’s going to come — use it as fuel. The CIAA is tough; there’s no night off. Every game matters.”
WSSU hasn’t experienced a winning season since the 2022-23 campaign, when the team went a modest 15-10 overall and 11-5 in the CIAA.
And as WSSU rides one of its best starts in recent years, Terry insists she’s far from satisfied.
“I’m not going to be happy until I see them rewarded for all the work they’re doing,” she said. “Every day we have to come in and compete. There’s still work to do.”