Wake Forest University
Western Mich
Women's Basketball Victorious Over Western Michigan, 67-55
12/21/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 21, 2001
Kalamazoo, Mich. - The Wake Forest women's basketball team posted its fourth consecutive win, defeating Western Michigan 67-55 on Friday evening at University Arena. The win improves the Deacon's season record to 6-4 overall.
Western Michigan never led in Friday's game but stayed close throughout most of the second half. WMU drew within a single point at 47-46 with 8:36 left to play but the Deacons then went on a decisive 7-0 run at that point to widen its lead. Wake Forest also held a 49-38 advantage on the boards.
WMU trailed 12-3 to start the game but fought back to close within three points at 12-9. After Wake Forest climbed ahead by nine (26-17) with 4:25 left in the opening stanza, Western Michigan clawed back to make it a five-point game (26-21) with 3:37. That would also be the margin at halftime as Wake Forest held a 29-24 advantage at intermission.
After shooting just 30 percent (12-40) in the first half, Deacons shooting improved in the second as they converted 43 percent (11-26) of their shots in the second stanza. The Demon Deacons' lead reached double digits just under two minutes to play as WFU converted on eight straight free throws down the stretch for the 12-point victory.
Deacon sophomore Tonia Brown (Roanoke, Va.) led all scorers with a game-high 24 points, a career-best. She also tallied eight rebounds, three assists and three steals. Senior LaChina Robinson (Alexandria, Va.) and Tiffani Listenbee (Clinton Township, Mich.) both came close to a double-double as each contributed nine points and nine rebounds.
Wake Forest travels from Kalamazoo to Valparaiso, Ind. where it will take on the Valparaiso Crusaders in a 7:00 p.m. contest on Saturday, Dec. 22.
