Wake Forest Athletics
Women's Basketball preps for N.C. State
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
January 22, 1999
Up Next:
North Carolina State
Sunday, January 24, 1999 - 12:30 pm
Joel Coliseum - Winston-Salem, NC
TV/Radio: HTS, Fox Sports South, Sunshine Network/WXII 830 AM
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - After dropping three ACC games in a one-week span, the Wake Forest women's basketball team has had a week off to prepare for this Sunday's game with NC State. The Deacs are looking to rebound from disappointing performances vs. Florida State and Clemson and hope to pick up one more ACC win in first half of the conference round-robin. The game tips off Sunday, January 24 at 12:30 pm, and will be televised on the ACC's Regional Sports Network (HTS, Fox Sports South, and Sunshine Network). Fans can listen on the radio on WXII Newsradio 830 AM in Winston-Salem or via the Wake Forest athletics website at www.wakeforestsports.com.
Scouting Wake Forest (6-11, 2-5 ACC) Itoro Umoh netted a triple double with 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists as No. 16 Clemson routed visiting Wake Forest, 78-38, last Sunday afternoon. The 38 points marked the lowest total by a Deacon team since a 78-35 loss to Virginia in 1980. Clemson held Wake to a season-low 13 field goals on 54 attempts (24.1 percent), while forcing 20 turnovers and outrebounding the Deacs, 49-35. For the second consecutive game, Wake Forest had no player score in double figures and shot poorly from behind the three-point arc (3-22), despite ranking as one of the ACC's top three-point shooting teams. Sophomore forward Olivia Dardy led the Deacons with seven points and five rebounds, while sophomore forward Brenda Mock Kirkpatrick grabbed a team-high six rebounds. Through 17 games, Dardy leads the team in both scoring (10.3 ppg) and rebounding (7.6 rpg), while senior forward Emon McMillian and junior guard Alisha Mosley average 9.4 and 9.0 points per game, respectively. Wake is averaging just 64.9 points per game on 38.6 percent shooting, and the Deacs have outrebounded opponents by a +2.3 margin. WFU averages 5.8 three-pointers per game as a team, hitting 33 percent from behind the three-point arc. Wake has turned the ball over 18.5 times per game, however, compared to their opponents' 16.6.
Scouting NC State (9-7, 3-4 ACC) An NCAA Final Four participant in 1998, NC State has had its share of ups and downs this season. The Wolfpack has lost three of its last four, including a 70-58 loss to Clemson Thursday night. State has posted conference wins over Florida State (65-54), North Carolina (87-70), and Maryland (73-45), while losing to Clemson twice (88-67, 70-58), Georgia Tech (74-73), Virginia (60-46), and Duke (67-62). Through 17 games, NCSU is led by junior center Summer Erb, who leads the ACC in scoring (21.1 ppg), rebounding (9.4 rpg), and field goal percentage (.599). Sophomore guard Tynesha Lewis adds 16.2 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. The 'Pack averages 73.1 points per game on 46.1 percent shooting, and outrebounds opponents by a +2.9 margin.
Series History Sunday's game marks the 45th meeting between Wake Forest and NC State, in a series that dates back to the 1972-73 season. State holds a 38-6 advantage over Wake in the all-time series, and the Wolfpack have won the last four straight meetings. Last season, State took a 75-46 decision in Winston-Salem and a 64-46 contest in Raleigh. Wake's last win came in the 1995-96 season, when the Deacons swept the 'Pack 76-72 at home and 75-64 on the road. State owns a 15-4 record vs. Wake on the Deacons' home court.
Dardy, Robinson Earn ACC Weekly 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 recording 17 points and 15 rebounds to lift Wake Forest to a win over Maryland, snapping a 17-game ACC losing streak. Robinson was named the ACC's Rookie of the Week on Jan. 11th for her outstanding performance in the Deacs' win over Georgia Tech. She collected 22 points, eight rebounds, three blocks, and two steals - all career highs - and was a key to a second-half run which gave the Deacs the win.
Deacs "Jam Joel" to Set Attendance Record vs. Duke Wake's "Jam Joel" promotion for the Jan. 4th game vs. Duke resulted in a school-record attendance of 3,214 fans. The previous record of 3,071 fans was set vs. Duke in Joel Coliseum on Jan. 18, 1992.
Free Throw Woes Wake Forest has struggled from the free throw line this season, with the Deacs hitting just 63.7 of their shots from the charity stripe (152-253). In ACC games, Wake has made just 57.1 percent of its foul shots (64-112), although the Deacs did sink 18 of 19 (94.7%) vs. North Carolina - the eighth-best single-game performance by a Division I team this year.
Fountain of Youth The Deacons feature an extremely youthful squad this season, with 10 of 14 players on the roster in only their freshman or sophomore years of eligibility. This young squad is anchored by four veterans, however, including two fifth-year players (Heidi Coleman and Emon McMillian), one true senior (Jenn Miklic), and one junior (Alisha Mosley).
The Search for Consistent Scoring Last season, despite a strong defensive game, the Deacons consistently struggled to put points on the board. No player finished the season averaging in double figures, and the team as a whole averaged just 57.4 points per game. This season, the Deacs showed visible improvement in the scoring department early on, averaging 77 points per game in their first five games. Since then, however, the team has topped 70 points just three times in the last 12 games and has fallen short of the 60-point mark seven times. In their last two losses to Florida State and Clemson, the Deacs struggled visibly from the floor, hitting just 28 percent from the floor (39-137), 11 percent from three-point range (5-45), and 50 percent from the free throw line (12-24).
Double Digit Deacons Individually, sophomore forward Olivia Dardy (10.5 ppg) is the only player averaging double figures on the season, but eight other players have also recorded double digits in either points, rebounds, or assists during the year. A look at the Deacons' double-digit performances: Name Pts Rebs Ast D-D's
Elizabeth Biedrycki 1 0 0 0
Heidi Coleman 3 0 0 0
Olivia Dardy 7 5 0 4
Adell Harris 0 0 1 0
Brenda M. Kirkpatrick 6 2 0 1
Val Klopfer 1 0 0 0
Emon McMillian 8 1 0 1
Alisha Mosley 8 0 0 0
LaChina Robinson 2 0 0 0
Interior Improvements The Deacs have benefitted from a stronger inside game this season with the return of some key players and the addition of some new faces. Three returning forwards - senior Emon McMillian (9.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg) and sophomores Olivia Dardy (10.3 ppg, 7.6 rpg) and Brenda Mock Kirkpatrick (7.7 ppg, 5.0 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 at least one double double on the year. In addition, 6-4 freshman centers LaChina Robinson (5.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg) and Elizabeth Biedrycki (2.4 ppg, 2.2 rpg) have provided additional size and defensive presence in the paint.
Guards Boast Strong Assist-to-Turnover Ratio Another area of dramatic improvement this year is in the Deacon guards' assist-to-turnover ratio. Last season, only one Deacon registered a positive ratio for the season (Heidi Coleman was 57-to-55) and the backcourt as a whole stood at -1.13. This year, every guard but one boasts a positive assist-to-turnover ratio. Junior guard Alisha Mosley ranks among the best in the ACC with a +2.13 ratio (51-to-24), while Coleman owns a +1.25 ratio (39-to-31) and sophomore guard Janae Whiteside holds a +1.44 mark (23-to-16). The three own a combined +1.59 ratio on the season, while the backcourt as a whole (including rookies Adell Harris and Val Klopfer) checks in at +1.36 (158-116).
Coleman Chasing Three-Point Shooting Records 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. In her career as a Deacon, Coleman owns a 35.4 three-point shooting percentage and ranks second all-time in three-pointers made (169) and attempted (477). Those numbers rank her 12th and 11th (respectively) in the ACC career record book. Coleman currently holds the school single-season records in both categories, hitting 61-of-179 treys as a sophomore in 1996-97. Last year she nearly matched those record marks, hitting 57-of-166 threes. Coleman also ranks as the school's eighth all-time assist leader with 267, and is 16th all-time in points with 866.
Rookies Stepping it Up Charlene Curtis' first recruiting class has started coming into its own over the past few games, highlighted by the contributions of several rookies in the team's recent win over Georgia Tech. Freshman center LaChina Robinson (5.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg) has started all 17 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 17 points vs. Providence and exploding for a career-best 22 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks vs. Georgia Tech. Classmate Elizabeth Biedrycki (2.4 ppg, 2.2 rpg) continues to share time with Robinson at center, and has been a steady contributor off the bench. She posted a career-best 12 points vs. Providence.
Rookie point guard Val Klopfer (4.0 ppg) has earned increased playing time lately, averaging nearly 20 minutes per game in the last six outings. She has hit 36 percent of her three-pointers on the year (15-of-42), and she contributed a career-high 18 points vs. Tech. Guard Adell Harris (1.9 ppg, 1.7 apg) has also seen increased court time in the past few games. She put on a show-stopping performance in the final 10 minutes of the Georgia Tech game, dishing 10 assists and making three steals to key the Deacs' come-from-behind win. Swing player Liz Rogers (2.1 ppg, 1.3 rpg) has consistently provided a spark off the bench with her hustle and determination. Although averaging just 4.6 minutes per game, Rogers has been one of the most productive Deacons this season in terms of points, rebounds, and steals per minute. She had a season-high eight points in the win over GT.
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 and work on further developing her skills. She will likely redshirt the 1998-99 season.
Raining Threes Wake Forest has utilized an arsenal of three-point shooters this season to rank as one of the top long-distance shooting teams in the ACC. Through games of Jan. 19, WFU ranked second the ACC in threes per game (5.8) and fourth in three-point percentage (33.0). Senior guard Heidi Coleman remains Wake's top three-point threat (see above), ranking fifth in the league in three-point percentage (26-71, 36.6) and eighth in threes per game (1.5). Junior guard Alisha Mosley owns a 29.9 three-point percentage (20-67) and averages 1.2 treys per game. Reserve guards Janae Whiteside (8-36, 22.2%), Val Klopfer (15-42, 35.7%), and Adell Harris (6-16, 37.5%) have also contributed some clutch threes. In addition to guards, however, two of the Deacs' post players have the ability to step out and hit a three - sophomore forwards Olivia Dardy (18-48, 37.5%) and Brenda Mock Kirkpatrick (4-12, 33.3%).
Dardy Leads Deacs in Scoring, Rebounding Sophomore forward Olivia Dardy continues to lead the Demon Deacons in both scoring (10.5 ppg) and rebounding (7.8 rpg). She ranks as the ACC's sixth-leading rebounder overall with 7.6 boards per contest and is third with 8.7 boards in ACC games only. A versatile player who can play either 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, and boasts a 37.5 three-point shooting percentage (18-48). On the season, Dardy has notched four double-doubles (seven double-digit scoring games and five double-figure rebound games). Earlier this year, she earned All-Tournament honors at the Fairfield-Warner's Classic, racking up 31 points and 21 rebounds in two games to help WFU to a runner-up finish. She also earned ACC Co-Player of the Week honors on Dec. 13th for her 17-point, 15-rebound outing in Wake's victory 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.
Mosley Dishes it Off Junior guard Alisha Mosley has been one of the Deacs' top offensive weapons in the first 17 games, averaging 9.0 points and a team-high 3.0 assists per outing. Mosley has scored in double figures eight 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 (20-67, 29.9%) and boasts an impressive +2.13 assist-to-turnover ratio on the year (51-to-24). 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.
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 in grad school at Wake Forest, McMillian is in her second season as the Deacs' starting power forward. She currently ranks second on the team in both scoring (9.4 ppg) and rebounding (5.4 rpg) and she has posted eight double-figure scoring outings thus far, including four of the last five games she's played (she missed the FSU game due to a shoulder sprain). McMillian's best outing of the season came in the Deacs' win over Providence, where she netted the fourth double-double of her career with a career-high 23 points and 12 rebounds. McMillian has been particularly hot from the floor in her last five outings, shooting 68 percent from the floor (21-31). Her father, Jim, played in the NBA and was a member of the Lakers' 1972 championship team.
Miklic a Defensive Stopper Senior guard/forward Jenn Miklic continues to serve as one of the team's top defensive players, often receiving the assignment of covering an opponent's top offensive threat. An aggressive player and a strong athlete, Miklic has started the past 15 games at small forward and averages just under 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.
Shaffer, Whiteside Contribute Off the Bench Sophomores Kristen Shaffer and Janae Whiteside continue to serve as valuable reserves on the perimeter for the Demon Deacons. Shaffer, a versatile swing player who excels in the open court game, has averaged just under nine minutes a game, contributing 2.4 points per outing. She netted a season-high eight points at FSU. Whiteside can play point or shooting guard and has shown dramatic improvement in her ballhandling skills since last year. She has averaged 11.1 minutes per game, contributing 2.6 points and 1.4 assists per contest. Whiteside owns a +1.44 assist-to-turnover ratio (23-to-16), and she set a new career high this year with five assists vs. both West Virginia and Maryland.
ACC Leaders As of Jan. 19th, senior guard Heidi Coleman ranks as the ACC's fifth-most accurate three-point shooter (36.6%) and ranks eighth in threes per game at 1.5. Sophomore forward Olivia Dardy is sixth in rebounding (7.6 rpg) and freshman center LaChina Robinson is fifth in blocks (1.1 bpg). In ACC games only, Dardy ranks third in rebounding (8.7 rpg) and 9th in blocks (0.7 bpg), while Robinson is fourth in blocks (1.4 bpg).
Team Rankings Through Jan. 19th, Wake Forest ranks second in the ACC in three-pointers per game (5.8) and is fourth in three-point percentage (33.0). Other rankings: 8th in scoring (64.9 ppg), 6th in scoring defense (69.5 ppg), 8th in scoring margin (-4.6), 9th in field goal percentage (.386), 7th in field goal percentage defense (.416), 8th in free throw percentage (.637), 7th in blocks (2.5 bpg), 9th in steals (6.9 spg), 8th in turnover margin (-2.1), and 6th in rebound margin (+2.3).
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.
Tip-Ins Wake Forest has outrebounded 12 of its first 17 opponents...the Deacs have hit 10 or more three-pointers on three occasions (FDU, Virginia, UMBC)...the seven turnovers Wake committed vs. UMBC tied the school record for fewest TOs in a game (originally set in 1982)...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...Wake hit 94.7 percent of its foul shots (18-19) vs. UNC, the eighth-best single-game percentage in NCAA Division I this year...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 were the fewest by a Deacon team since a 78-35 loss to Virginia on Jan. 2, 1980...Wake has not had a player score in double figures in the past two games.
PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP
Pos. No. Name Ht. Yr. GP/GS PPG RPG Other F 5 Emon McMillian 6-1 Sr. 16/16 9.4 5.4 1.3 apg F 12 Jenn Miklic 6-0 Sr. 16/15 1.8 1.6 0.7 apg C 34 LaChina Robinson 6-4 Fr. 17/17 5.6 4.1 1.1 bpg G 11 Alisha Mosley 5-6 Jr. 17/16 9.0 2.7 3.0 apg G 22 Heidi Coleman 5-6 Sr. 17/17 6.9 2.9 2.3 apgReserves F 32 Olivia Dardy 6-1 So. 17/2 10.3 7.6 1.2 spg F 50 B. Mock Kirkpatrick 6-0 So. 17/1 7.7 5.0 1.2 apg G 10 Val Klopfer 5-6 Fr. 15/0 4.0 0.9 1.1 apg G 21 Janae Whiteside 5-7 So. 17/1 2.6 0.9 1.4 apg G/F 20 Kristen Shaffer 5-10 So. 17/0 2.4 1.1 0.4 spg C 33 Elizabeth Biedrycki 6-4 Fr. 17/0 2.4 2.2 0.4 bpg G/F 45 Liz Rogers 5-10 Fr. 15/0 2.1 1.3 0.5 spg G 23 Adell Harris 5-8 Fr. 17/0 1.9 1.1 1.7 apg
STATISTICAL COMPARISON
Wake Forest Statistic NC State 64.9 Points Per Game 73.1 69.5 Points Allowed Per Game 65.0 -4.6 Scoring Margin +8.1 38.6 Field Goal Percentage 46.1 41.6 Field Goal Pct Defense 41.0 33.0 3-Point Field Goal Pct. 28.7 5.8 3-Point FGs Per Game 3.3 63.7 Free Throw Percentage 68.2 16.1 Assists 17.2 18.5 Turnovers 17.3 2.5 Blocks 2.1 6.9 Steals 8.1 -1.9 Turnover Margin +2.6 41.5 Rebounds 38.5 +2.3 Rebound Margin +2.9
