WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Paced by senior guard Ashley Abed's 21 points, the Anderson women's basketball team shook off the rust from a two-week layoff to defeat Winston-Salem State, 53-48, in non-conference action Thursday night at the C.E Gaines Center.

In the Trojans first road contest of the season, Anderson (2-2) claimed its second consecutive victory and earned a split of the season series with the Lady Rams after falling to WSSU 54-46 just more than two weeks ago at the Abney Center.

Winston-Salem State dropped to 3-2 on the season after winning its home-opener last Saturday.

Anderson never trailed throughout the contest after senior guard Ashley Abed and sophomore Tilde Ahlin combined to score the first nine points of the game. The Trojans' defense was stellar, holding the homestanding Lady Rams scoreless until Rene Rector dropped in a layup with nearly six minutes gone in the opening half.

AU built a double-digit advantage and the lead held strong, with the Trojans ahead, 21-9, at intermission.

The Lady Rams opened the second half with a 13-4 run over the first 4:23 to trim AU's lead to 25-22 and pulled within one point with just more than 13 minutes remaining, but AU senior guard Lauren Beeson answered by draining a 3-pointer and the Trojans held off Winston-Salem by building a double-digit cushion with 2:39 on the clock.

Abed matched her season-high with her 21 points, while Ahlin and Beeson each added eight points. Guard Alexa Neal shared game-high rebounding honors with Abed, as each pulled down seven boards.

The Trojans open South Atlantic Conference action by playing host to Brevard in the opening game of a league doubleheader on Saturday. Tip-off in the Abney Center versus the Tornados is scheduled for 2 p.m.