Wake Forest University
Holy Cross (Lady Luck Classic)
Women's Basketball Hammers Holy Cross, 85-56
12/28/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 28, 2003
BLACKSBURG, Va. - Senior Tonia Brown scored 14 points, while sophomore Keila Evans tied her career-high with 12 points off the bench to lead the Wake Forest women's basketball team to a convincing 85-56 victory over Holy Cross in the first game from the Virginia Tech Lady Luck Classic.
Sophomore Liz Strunk came out of the gates on fire to help the Demon Deacons race out to an 18-point lead, 40-22, by halftime. Strunk totaled nine of her 11 points in the opening 20 minutes. The forward connected on both of her 3-point field goal attempts and drained 3-of-4 from the free throw line.
The Deacs hit 55.6% from the field (15-for-27) in the first half, including 5-for-11 from 3-point territory. The five 3-pointers were the most for the Demon Deacons in any half this season.
While Strunk did much of the damage in the first half, Tonia Brown and Evans provided much of the offense in the second stanza. Brown tallied 12 of her 14, while Evans added 10 of her 12 after halftime.
Wake Forest continued the torrid shooting in the second half. The Demon Deacons pushed the lead to 26 points on two occasions, before the Crusaders chipped into the lead cutting the deficit to just 17 points, 68-51, with 6:31 left in the game.
The Deacs would close the game on a 17-5 run for the final 29-point margin.
Tonia Brown and Evans each finished the afternoon 6-for-9 from the field. Brown also added two assists and two steals, while Evans grabbed six rebounds and dished out a pair of assists, including a no-look pass from the top of the key.
Strunk would finish with 11 points. Strunk grabbed five rebounds, dished out two assists and recorded a pair of steals. Bianca Brown was the fourth and final Deac in double figures. Bianca Brown poured in 10 points and handed out three assists.
Sophomore Cotelia Bond-Young scored nine points and dished out a season best six assists.
The Deacs limited Holy Cross to just 34.6% (18-for-52), including 22.2% (6-for-27) in the opening 20 minutes. Wake Forest also forced 30 Crusader turnovers. It marked the third time this season that the Deacs have forced their opponent into 30 or more miscues.
Wake Forest finished the afternoon 33-for-59 from the field, good for 55.9% from the field. The shooting percentage is a season best.
Wake Forest will return to action Monday evening in the championship game of the Lady Luck Classic. The Deacs will face the winner of Virginia Tech and Furman. Tipoff is scheduled for Cassell Coliseum at 7 p.m.
