Wake Forest Looks To Bounce Back
12/14/1999 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 14, 1999
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - After a devastating loss to Georgia on Sunday, Wake Forest hopes to return to its winning ways when it faces North Carolina-Greensboro on Wednesday.
Coach Dave Odom thought his team had its sixth straight win all sewn up before watching Georgia's Adrian Jones hit a 25-foot buzzer beater to hand the Demon Deacons their first loss of the season, 68-67.
"They were all but in the grave," Odom said. "When you have someone in the position to finish them off, you have to make the plays. You're supposed to be able to time-manage the clock and get to the free throw line."
The No. 25 Demon Deacons (5-1) forced 24 turnovers, but were dreadful at the foul line. Wake Forest shot just 53.3 percent from the line, making only 8-of-15 attempts.
Junior Robert O'Kelly led the Demon Deacons with 17 points despite making just 5 of 15 shots. O'Kelly leads the team with 14.3 points per game.
Wake Forest's first loss followed impressive back-to-back wins over Wisconsin and 17th-ranked Temple.
The Spartans (4-1) are off to a solid start under new coach Fran McCaffrey after winning just seven games all last season. UNC-Greensboro got its fourth win in a row on Dec. 6th, beating Norfolk State 80-74. Center Demetrius Cherry led the way for the Spartans with 25 points, 12 rebounds and three blocked shots.
UNC-Greensboro has lost all three games it has played against Wake Forest, including a lopsided 82-45 setback last season.