Wake Forest University
California
Defense Propels Wake Forest Past California, 57-48
12/28/1999 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 28, 1999
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- A stingy Wake Forest defense allowed only 14 first-half points as the Demon Deacons defeated visiting California, 57-48, at Reynolds Gym on Tuesday night.
Wake Forest (4-6) never trailed in the game and held the Golden Bears to just 15.6 percent shooting in the first period (5 of 32). The Deacs led by 14 at intermission and withstood several late runs by Cal to earn the win. The Bears got as close as five points twice in the game's final 3:30, but the Deacon defense stiffened to preserve the win. Cal came into the game as the Pac-10's top rebounding team, but Wake Forest held the advantage on the glass tonight, 43-37. The Deacons also hit 22 of 28 free throws (.786).
Sophomore center LaChina Robinson led a balanced Wake Forest scoring attack with 12 points, while junior forward Kristen Shaffer added 10. Junior forward Brenda Mock Kirkpatrick pulled down a game-high eight rebounds.
For Cal, junior guard Courtney Johnson and sophomore center Shavaki Jackson scored 11 points apiece, while junior forward Lauren Ashbaugh and sophomore forward Kawai Matthews grabbed seven rebounds each.
Wake Forest next travels to Lynchburg, Va., for a game at Liberty this Thursday, Dec. 30, at 7:00 p.m., while Cal travels to North Carolina for a 7:00 p.m. contest on Thursday.
