Women's Basketball Concludes Regular Season

February 19, 1999

Wake Forest at NC State
Saturday, February 20, 1999 * 2:00 pm
Reynolds Coliseum * Raleigh, NC

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - The Wake Forest women's basketball team concludes the 1998-99 regular season this Saturday, Feb. 20th, as the Demon Deacons travel to NC State for a 2:00 pm contest. The Deacons currently stand seventh in the ACC and are coming off a 66-38 loss to No. 14 Clemson on Thursday night, while the Wolfpack is in fifth place in the conference and is coming off a 75-67 loss at No. 8 Duke on Thursday. The game will be televised in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area on WKFT-TV 40. The game will not be broadcast on WXII Newsradio 830 AM in Winston-Salem nor on the internet at www.wakeforestsports.com as originally planned, due to scheduling difficulties.

Scouting Wake Forest (7-18, 3-12 ACC)
Clemson's Natasha Anderson scored 17 points and grabbed nine rebounds as the 14th-ranked Tigers cruised to a 66-38 victory over Wake Forest on Thursday night at Joel Coliseum. Clemson never trailed in the game, building a 25-13 halftime lead and continually pulling away from the Deacs in the second half. Boasting the ACC's top defense, the Tigers held Wake to season-lows in points (38), field goals (13), field goal percentage (23.2%), three-point field goals (1), and three-point field goal percentage (7.1%), while also dominating the boards by a 52-42 margin. Joanie Mungro added 12 points for CU, while Nikki Blassingame grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds. No Wake Forest player scored in double figures, but senior forward Emon McMillian led the team with nine points, and sophomore forward Brenda Mock Kirkpatrick had eight. Freshman forward Liz Rogers pulled down a team-high six rebounds.

Through 25 games, sophomore forward Olivia Dardy leads the team in both scoring (9.3 ppg) and rebounding (7.1 rpg), while McMillian ranks second in both categories with 9.2 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. Wake Forest is averaging 62.8 points per game on 38 percent shooting, and the Deacs have outrebounded opponents by a +2.0 margin. WFU averages 5.6 three-pointers per game, hitting 32 percent of its treys. In ACC games, the Deacs average just 58.8 points per outing on 36 percent shooting and outrebound opponents by a slight +0.3 margin.

Scouting NC State (15-10, 8-7 ACC)
The Wolfpack stands in fifth place in the ACC after winning six of its last eight games. NC State most recently dropped a 75-67 decision to No. 8 Duke on Thursday, despite leading at halftime. Through 25 games, State is led by junior center Summer Erb, who leads the ACC in both scoring (20.6 ppg) and rebounding (9.2 rpg). Sophomore guard Tynesha Lewis ranks among the top 10 in the conference in four different statistical categories: scoring (3rd, 17.6 ppg), rebounding (8th, 6.8 rpg), assists (6th, 3.3 apg), three-point percentage (5th, 32.6), and threes per game (3rd, 1.7). As a team, the 'Pack averages 75 points per game on 47 percent shooting, while outrebounding opponents by a +4.7 margin.

Series History
NC State holds a 39-6 advantage over Wake Forest in the all-time series, which dates back to the 1972-73 season. The Wolfpack has won the last five straight meetings, including an 85-60 decision in Winston-Salem earlier this year. Wake's last win over the 'Pack came in the 1995-96 season, when the Deacs won 76-72 at home and 75-64 on the road.

Earlier This Year
Tynesha Lewis tallied 22 points and 10 rebounds to lift visiting NC State over Wake Forest, 85-60, in Winston-Salem on Jan. 24th. State built a 33-22 halfime lead as the Deacs hit just 22 percent of their first-period shots. Wake used an 11-4 second-half run to get within eight points, but State responded with a 14-2 run of its own to put the game out of reach. State outrebounded Wake 51-40. Freshman center LaChina Robinson led Wake Forest with 15 points.

Fountain of Youth
The Deacs feature an extremely youthful squad this season, with 10 of 14 players in only their freshman or sophomore years of eligibility. The young squad is anchored by four veterans, however, including two fifth-year players (Heidi Coleman, Emon McMillian), one true senior (Jenn Miklic), and one junior (Alisha Mosley), all of whom are starters.

Free Throw Woes
Wake Forest has struggled from the free throw line this season, with the Deacs hitting just 63.2 of their shots from the charity stripe. In ACC games, Wake has hit just 59.9 percent of its foul shots, though the Deacs did sink 18 of 19 vs. UNC on Jan. 2 - a school record of 94.7 percent.

In Search of Point Production
Last season, the Deacs consistently struggled to put points on the board. No player finished the season in double figures, and the team averaged just 57.4 points per game. This year, Wake showed improvement in the scoring department early on, averaging 77 points in the first five games. The team has topped 70 points just four times in its last 20 games, however, and has scored less than 60 points 11 times. In the eight of the last 10 games (excluding Maryland and FSU), the Deacs have struggled with poor shooting, hitting just 31% from the floor (155-497), 18% from three-point range (28-155), and 57% from the line (77-135). Against UM and FSU, however, Wake shot a combined 46% from the floor (51-110), 50% from three-point range (19-38), and 74% from the line (25-34).

Interior Improvements
The Deacs boast a stronger inside game and better rebounding this season with the return of some key players and the addition of some new faces. Three returning forwards - senior Emon McMillian (9.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg) and sophomores Olivia Dardy (9.3 ppg, 7.1 rpg) and Brenda Mock Kirkpatrick (7.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg) - have demonstrated much-improved inside games this year, ranking as the team's top three rebounders and three of the top four scorers. All three have posted double-doubles this year. In addition, 6-4 freshman centers LaChina Robinson (5.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg) and Elizabeth Biedrycki (2.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg) have provided additional size and defensive presence in the paint.

Double-Digit Deacons
Although no Deacons are averaging in double figures on the season, 12 of Wake's 13 active players have recorded double digits in either points, rebounds, or assists during the year. A look at Wake's double-digit performances:

    Name                  Pts  Rebs  Ast  D-D's
    Elizabeth Biedrycki    1    0     0    0
    Heidi Coleman          4    0     0    0
    Olivia Dardy          10    6     0    5
    Adell Harris           0    0     1    0
    Brenda M. Kirkpatrick  6    2     0    1
    Val Klopfer            3    0     0    0
    Emon McMillian        11    2     0    2
    Alisha Mosley         10    0     0    0
    LaChina Robinson       4    0     0    0
    Liz Rogers             1    0     0    0
    Kristen Shaffer        1    0     0    0
    Janae Whiteside        2    0     0    0

Guards Boast Improved Assist-to-Turnover Ratios
Another area of dramatic improvement this year is in the Deacon guards' assist-to-turnover ratio. Last season, only one player registered a positive ratio for the season (senior point guard Heidi Coleman was 57-to-55) and the backcourt as a whole stood at -1.13. This year's backcourt unit checks in at +1.06 (210-to-199), led by junior guard Alisha Mosley's +1.30 ratio (57-to-44). Coleman owns a +1.17 ratio (48-to-41), while freshman point guard Val Klopfer holds a +1.23 ratio (27-to-22). Sophomore Janae Whiteside (36-to-39, -1.08) and rookie Adell Harris (42-to-53, -1.26) round out the unit.

Raining Threes
Wake Forest has utilized an arsenal of three-point shooters this season to rank as one of the top long-distance teams in the ACC. After averaging 6.3 threes per game in its first 16 outings, the Deacs hit a four-game dry spell in which they sunk just 3.5 threes per game and hit only 18 percent of their attempts (14-76). Wake has gotten back on track in three of its last five games, draining eight treys vs. Ga. Tech and Maryland and hitting a season-high 11-of-20 (55%) vs. FSU. Senior Heidi Coleman remains Wake's top three-point threat, (36-101, 36%), although her backup, Val Klopfer (23-60, 38%) has emerged as a long-distance danger as well. Junior Alisha Mosley (26-86, 30%), sophomore Janae Whiteside (20-72, 28%), and freshman Adell Harris (6-23, 26%) have contributed some clutch threes as well. Whiteside stepped up to hit five threes (on eight attempts) in the Deacs' recent win over FSU - the most threes in a game by a Deac this year. In addition to guards, however, sophomore forward Olivia Dardy (23-75, 31%) has the ability to step out and hit a long-range three as well.

Bench Scoring
Wake Forest boasts an extremely deep lineup, and head coach Charlene Curtis has utilized her entire bench in nearly every game this year. In fact, the Wake bench has contributed almost half of the team's points on the season (758-of-1569, 48.3%) and has outscored the starters in 13 of 25 games. In the last 13 games, the bench has outscored the starters nine times, contributing 52% of the team's points (364 of 697).

Rookies Stepping it Up
Charlene Curtis' first recruiting class began coming into its own shortly after the new year, highlighted by the contributions of several rookies in the team's win over Georgia Tech on Jan. 4th. Since then, all five active freshman players have been key contributors to the team.

Center LaChina Robinson (5.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 0.8 bpg) has started all 25 contests and has been a solid addition to the Deacons' inside game with her rebounding and shot-blocking ability. She has proven to be a scoring threat as well, netting four double-figure outings on the year. She tallied a career-best 22 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks vs. Georgia Tech to earn ACC Rookie of the Week honors, and grabbed a career-high nine boards vs. FSU. Elizabeth Biedrycki (2.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg) backs up Robinson at center and has been a steady contributor off the bench. She posted a career-best 12 points vs. Providence.

Point guard Val Klopfer (4.0 ppg) has seen her playing time steadily increase, and she now nearly splits time at the point with starter Heidi Coleman. She has proven to be a dangerous three-point shooter (23-60, 38%) and has three double-figure outings, including a career-high 18 points vs. Georgia Tech on Jan. 4. Guard Adell Harris (1.9 ppg, 1.7 apg) has also seen increased court time and has shown great potential as a playmaker. She put on a show-stopping performance in the final 10 minutes of the Georgia Tech game on Jan. 4, dishing 10 assists and making three steals to key the Deacs' come-from-behind win.

Swing player Liz Rogers (2.2 ppg, 1.5 rpg) has consistently provided a spark off the bench with her hustle and determination. Although averaging just under five minutes per game, Rogers is one of the most productive Deacons in terms of points, rebounds, and steals per minute. She netted her first double-figure outing vs. Duke on Feb 11th, tallying a career-high 10 points in 11 minutes of play, and she grabbed a career-high six rebounds vs. Clemson on Feb. 18th in just nine minutes.

The sixth member of the freshman class, 6-4 center LaTisha Pearson, has not yet dressed for a game but continues to practice with the team to further develop her skills. She will redshirt the 1998-99 season.

Coleman Climbs Three-Point Shooting Charts
Senior point guard Heidi Coleman already ranks as one of the top three-point shooters in school history, and she is closing in on the Wake Forest records for threes made and attempted in a career. Coleman owns a 35.3 career three-point shooting percentage and ranks second all-time at WFU in three-pointers made (179) and attempted (507). Those numbers rank her 11th and 10th (respectively) in the ACC record book.

Coleman also holds the school single-season records in both categories, hitting 61-of-179 treys in 1996-97. Last year she nearly matched those marks, hitting 57-of-166. Coleman ranks as Wake's eighth all-time assist leader with 276, and is 16th in points with 901.

Dardy Leads Deacs in Scoring, Rebounding, Steals
Sophomore forward Olivia Dardy continues to lead the Deacons in scoring (9.3 ppg), rebounding (7.1 rpg), and steals (1.2 spg) from the bench. She ranks as the ACC's seventh-leading rebounder overall and is also seventh with 7.3 boards per ACC game. A versatile player who can play the three, four, or five position, Dardy can score both in the paint and from three-point range. She has played primarily small forward this season after playing mostly center as a rookie. She holds a 30.7 three-point shooting percentage (23-75) and has notched five double-doubles on the year. Earlier this year, Dardy earned All-Tournament honors at the Fairfield-Warner's Classic, racking up 31 points and 21 rebounds in two games. She earned ACC Co-Player of the Week honors on Dec. 13th for her 17-point, 15-rebound outing in the win over Maryland. Last season, Dardy led the team in scoring and rebounding in ACC games (8.8 ppg, 6.7 rpg) and was named to ACC Athlete's All-Freshman Team.

McMillian Anchors the Post
Senior forward Emon McMillian serves as one of the Deacs' primary anchors this season, bringing veteran experience to a young frontcourt. A fifth-year player, McMillian is in her second season as the Deacs' starting power forward. She currently ranks second on the team in both scoring (9.2 ppg) and rebounding (5.5 rpg) and she has posted 11 double-figure scoring outings, including seven of the last 12 games in which she hasn't been injured (out at FSU with shoulder sprain; played just two minutes at Ga. Tech due to ankle sprain). McMillian's best outing of the season came in the Deacs' win over Providence, where she netted a career-high 23 points and 12 rebounds. She recently netted her fifth career double-double in the win over Florida State, collecting 15 points and 12 rebounds. She currently ranks 17th on Wake's all-time rebounding list with 437 career boards. McMillian's father, Jim, played in the NBA and was a member of the Lakers' 1972 championship team.

Mosley An Offensive Key
Junior guard Alisha Mosley has been one of the Deacs' key playmakers in the first 25 games, averaging 8.0 points and a team-high 2.3 assists per outing. Mosley has scored in double figures 10 times this year (including a career-high 23 points vs. VCU) and has led the team in scoring four times. She has led the team in assists in eight games, dishing a career-high six set-ups vs. both FDU and UNC. Mosley also ranks among the team's top three-point shooters (26-86, 30%) and owns a team-high +1.30 assist-to-turnover ratio (57-to-44). She was named to the

California-Oakland Tribune Classic All-Tournament Team after totalling 31 points and seven assists in two games. An ACC All-Freshman pick in 1996-97, Mosley averaged 7.6 points and 2.1 assists per game last year.

Miklic a Defensive Stopper
Senior forward Jenn Miklic continues to serve as the Deacons' top defensive stopper this season, often receiving the assignment of covering an opponent's top scoring threat. An aggressive defender and a strong athlete, Miklic has started the past 23 games at small forward and averages just over 11 minutes per game. Her best offensive game of the year came vs. Pittsburgh in the California-Oakland Tribune Classic, where she netted eight points and five rebounds. In the loss to NC State on Jan. 24th, Miklic dished a career-high six assists in just 18 minutes.

Kirkpatrick a Key Contributor
Sophomore forward Brenda Mock Kirkpatrick continues to provide a spark for the Deacons off the bench with her strong play and tremendous hustle. Kirkpatrick averages just over 17 minutes per game but ranks as the team's fourth-leading scorer (7.1 ppg) and third-leading rebounder (4.3 rpg). She has tallied six double-figure scoring outings on the year and grabbed double-figure rebounds twice, netting her first career double-double vs. West Virginia (13 pts, career-high 13 rebs). She netted a career-best 15 points in back-to-back games at the Fairfield Warner's Classic (vs. FDU and ECU) earlier this year.

Whiteside White Hot vs. FSU
Sophomore guard Janae Whiteside was white-hot from three-point range in a recent three game-stretch (vs. Maryland, Duke, and FSU), hitting 9-of-16 treys (56%). She tallied a team- and (then) career-high 13 points vs. Maryland on Feb 6th, hitting 5-of-6 from the floor and 3-of-4 from three-point range. That performance earned her a starting job in the next three games, and she responded with a career game vs. Florida State on Feb. 15th. She exploded for a career-high 16 points, hitting 5-of-8 threes - the most treys by a Deacon in a game this year - and also made a career-high four steals. Whiteside plays both point and shooting guard and averages 13.3 minutes per game, contributing 3.9 points and 1.4 assists per contest. She dished a career-high five assists vs. both West Virginia and Maryland earlier this year.

Shaffer Steps Up Too
Sophomore forward Kristen Shaffer has also stepped up her offensive contributions of late. She notched her first double-figure outing of the season vs. Maryland on Feb 6th, netting 10 points on 5-of-8 shooting, and contributed seven points on 3-of-6 shooting vs. FSU last Monday. A versatile swing player who excels in the open court game, Shaffer averages just over nine minutes per game on the year, contributing 2.7 points per outing.

ACC Leaders
Through games of Feb. 18th, sophomore forward Olivia Dardy ranked seventh in the ACC in rebounding (7.1 rpg) while freshman center LaChina Robinson was eighth in blocks (0.8 bpg). In ACC games only, Dardy ranked fifth in rebounding (7.3 rpg), while Robinson was fifth in blocks (0.9 bpg).

ACC Team Rankings
Through games of Feb. 18th, Wake Forest ranked second in the ACC in three-pointers per game (5.6) and third in three-point percentage (.315). Other team rankings: 8th in scoring (62.8 ppg), 8th in scoring defense (71.9 ppg), 8th in scoring margin (-9.2), 9th in field goal percentage (.377), 8th in field goal percentage defense (.433), 9th in free throw percentage (.632), 8th in blocks (2.2 bpg), 9th in steals (7.0 spg), 8th in turnover margin (-3.8), and 6th in rebound margin (+2.0).

Senior Leadership
Despite having a largely youthful team, the Demon Deacons have relied heavily on the senior trio of Heidi Coleman, Emon McMillian, and Jenn Miklic for leadership this year. All three players have started nearly every game this season and boast a combined 200 career starts between them. The senior classs has contributed 26 percent of the Deacons' scoring total (410 of 1569 points) and 23 percent of the team's rebounds (237 of 1021) in the 1998-99 season.

Dardy, Robinson Earn ACC Honors
Sophomore forward Olivia Dardy and freshman center LaChina Robinson have both earned weekly honors from the ACC this season. Dardy was named the ACC's Co-Player of the Week on Dec. 14 after posting 17 points and 15 rebounds to lift WFU to a win over Maryland, snapping a 17-game ACC losing streak for the Deacs. Robinson was selected as the ACC's Rookie of the Week on Jan. 11th after collecting 22 points, eight rebounds, three blocks, and two steals - all career highs - to help Wake to a win over Georgia Tech.

Honors and Accolades
Olivia Dardy (So, F) - Fairfield-Warner's Classic All-Tournament Team, 11/28; ACC Co-Player of the Week, 12/14. Alisha Mosley (Jr, G) - California-Oakland Tribune Classic All-Tournament Team, 12/21. LaChina Robinson (Fr, C) - ACC Rookie of the Week, 1/11.

School Records
The Deacs attempted a school-record 27 three-pointers vs. Georgia Tech on Feb. 3rd...the seven turnovers Wake committed vs. UMBC on Dec. 29th tied the school record for fewest TOs in a game (set in 1982)...Wake hit a school-record 94.7 percent of its foul shots (18-19) vs. North Carolina on Jan. 2nd ....the Deacs drew a school-record 3,214 fans to the Duke game on Jan. 11th.

Tip-Ins
Wake Forest has outrebounded 16 of its first 25 opponents...the Deacs have hit 10 or more three-pointers on four occasions this year (vs. FDU, UVa, UMBC, and FSU)...the season-opening win over VCU snapped a 16-game losing streak, the longest in school history...the Dec. 13th win over Maryland broke a 17-game drought vs. ACC foes...Adell Harris' 10-assist performance vs. Georgia Tech marked the first double-figure assist game for a Deacon since Gretchen Hollifield dished 11 vs. Maryland on Jan. 31, 1996...Wake's 38 points vs. Clemson on both Jan. 17th and Feb. 18th were the fewest points scored by a Deacon team since a 78-35 loss to Virginia on Jan. 2, 1980...Wake Forest is 5-1 when leading at halftime and 6-1 when leding with 10:00 remaining...the Deacs have shot 50% or better from the floor this year only once (51% vs. Maryland on Feb. 6th)...four opponents have shot 50% or better vs. Wake (Colorado St., Ga. Tech, Maryland, and Duke)... Wake Forest nearly doubled its home attendance since last season. The Deacs averaged 898 fans per game in 11 home dates, up from 486 per contest last year - an increase of nearly 85 percent.

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP

Pos.  No. Name                    Ht. Yr.  GP/GS  PPG  RPG  Other
F     5   Emon McMillian         6-1  Sr.  24/24  9.2  5.5  1.2 apg
F    12  Jenn Miklic             6-0  Sr.  24/23  1.5  1.5  1.0 apg
C    34  LaChina Robinson        6-4  Fr.  25/25  5.8  4.3  0.8 bpg
G    21  Janae Whiteside         5-7  So.  25/4   3.9  1.2  1.4 apg
G    22  Heidi Coleman           5-6  Sr.  25/25  6.1  2.8  1.9 apg

Reserves

F    32  Olivia Dardy            6-1  So.  25/2   9.3  7.1  1.2 spg
G    11  Alisha Mosley           5-6  Jr.  25/21  8.0  2.4  2.3 apg
F    50  Brenda Mock Kirkpatrick 6-0  So.  25/1   7.1  4.3  1.0 apg
G    10  Val Klopfer             5-6  Fr.  23/0   4.0  0.8  1.2 apg
G/F  20  Kristen Shaffer        5-10  So.  25/0   2.7  1.4  0.4 spg
C    33  Elizabeth Biedrycki     6-4  Fr.  24/0   2.3  2.3  0.3 bpg
G/F  45  Liz Rogers             5-10  Fr.  21/0   2.2  1.5  0.4 spg
G    23  Adell Harris            5-8  Fr.  25/0   1.9  1.0  1.7 apg

STATISTICAL COMPARISON

Wake Forest   Statistic                 NC State
62.8          Scoring Offense            75.0
71.9          Scoring Defense            65.0
-9.1          Scoring Margin            +10.0
37.7          Field Goal Percentage      46.7
43.3          Field Goal Pct Defense     39.9
31.5          3-Pt FG Percentage         30.8
5.6           3-Pt FG Per Game            3.6
63.2          Free Throw Percentage      67.6
15.0          Assists                    16.9
19.6          Turnovers                  17.6
2.2           Blocks                      2.0
7.0           Steals                      8.0
-3.8          Turnover Margin            +1.2
40.8          Rebounds                   40.4
+2.0          Rebound Margin             +4.7

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