Women's Basketball Looks For Lady Luck Classic Championship
12/29/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Game Notes
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Dec. 29, 2003
Game #12 Wake Forest Deacons (7-4) vs. #15/16 Virginia Tech Hokies (9-0)
Monday, Dec. 29 / 7:05 p.m. / Cassell Coliseum (10,089) / Blacksburg, Va.
Tip-Off: 7:05 p.m.
Television: None.
Radio: Listen live or follow live stats on hokiesports.com.
Records: Wake Forest is 7-4 after their 85-56 rout of Holy Cross yesterday afternoon, while the Hokies are 9-0 following their 83-70 victory over Furman.
Rankings: Virginia Tech is ranked 15th in the Associated Press poll and 16th in the ESPN/USA Today poll.
The Series: Wake Forest leads 1-0.
Officials: Announced on game day.
On Deck: Wake Forest returns to action on Jan. 2 at North Carolina.
DEACS LOOK FOR LADY LUCK CLASSIC TITLE
The Wake Forest women's basketball team will face undefeated and #15/16 Virginia Tech in the championship game of the Lady Luck Classic Monday evening. Tipoff is scheduled for Cassell Coliseum at 7 p.m.
The Deacs will not only look for their first victory over a ranked opponent in three tries this season, but first over a team among the top-20 since the 2000-01 season.
SCOUTING REPORT ON VIRGINIA TECH
The Hokies enter the tournament 8-0 and ranked #15/16. Virginia Tech has raced out to the eight consecutive wins due in large part to a suffocating defense. The Hokies have limited just a single foe over 70 points and held its opponents to just 34.5% shooting from the field. Ieva Kublina leads the Hokies (13.5 ppg, 7.6 rpg), while Carrie Mason (13.1), Erin Gibson (12.0 ppg) and Dawn Chris (11.9) all average double figures.
A WAKE FOREST WIN WOULD ...
Make the Demon Deacons 8-4 on the season ... Give the Deacs their first tournament title since the 1996 Big Four Classic ... Extend the winning streak to two games ... Give the Deacs a 2-0 edge in the all-time series ... Make Wake Forest 8-8 all-time against members of the Big East Conference ... Snap a four-game losing streak against teams from the Big East (last victory over a Big East foe was 80-73 over Providence on Nov. 24, 1998) ... Snap an eight-game losing skid against ranked opponents (last win was 65-64 over UNC on Jan. 21, 2002) ... Improve the Demon Deacons to 16-159 all-time against teams ranked in the top-25 ... Up Curtis' all-time record to 225-266 ... Give Curtis a record of 63-116 at Wake Forest ... Improve the Demon Deacons all-time record to 348-472.
A WAKE FOREST LOSS WOULD ...
Make the Demon Deacons 7-5 on the season ... Even the the all-time series with the Hokies at 1-1 ... Make Wake Forest 7-9 all-time against members of the Big East Conference ... Extend the WFU losing streak against teams from the Big East to five games ... Extend the losing skid against ranked opponents to nine games ... Drops the Demon Deacons to 15-160 all-time against teams ranked in the top-25 ... Drop Curtis' all-time record to 224-267 ... Give Curtis a record of 62-117 at Wake Forest ... Drop the Demon Deacons all-time record to 348-472.
LAST TIME OUT
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 (7-4) continued the torrid shooting in the second half. The Demon Deacons pushed the lead to 26 points on two occasions, before the Crusaders (4-6) 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.
DEACS TORRID AGAINST HOLY CROSS
Wake Forest not only shot 55.6% in the first half against Holy Cross on Dec. 28, but finished the afternoon 55.9% from the floor for the game. It was a season best for the Deacs.
EVANS EQUALS SEASON HIGH
Sophomore Keila Evans equalled her season high with 12 points against Holy Cross on Dec. 28. Evans scored 10 of her 12 in the second half.
DEMON DEACONS ON TARGET FROM OUTSIDE
Wake Forest connected on five 3-pointers in the opening half against Holy Cross on Dec. 28. The five 3-point field goals were the most in any half for the Deacs all season.
TREMENDOUS CONTRIBUTIONS OFF THE BENCH
Wake Forest out-scored Holy Cross 41-13 off the bench on Dec. 28. The 41 points were the most for the non-starters in any game this season. In fact, the Deacs have gotten 75 points from its bench the past two games.
Porsche' Jones MAKING WAVES SINCE ENTERING THE STARTING LINEUP
Porsche' Jones made her fourth consecutive start at point guard on Dec. 21. The Deacs are 4-1 since Jones entered the starting lineup. Jones also connected on a pair of 3-point field goals in the first half and three in the game against ECU. It was Jones' first ever game with more than a single 3-pointer. Jones established a new career high with 12 points on Sunday against East Carolina. Her previous career high was nine points against Florida A&M on Dec.15.
SENIOR Tonia Brown CLOSING IN ON 1,000 POINTS
Tonia Brown entered the game with East Carolina on a streak of five consecutive games with double figure points, but the senior managed just seven points against the Pirates. But, Brown responded with 14 against Holy Cross on Dec. 28. The senior has 916 points in a Demon Deacon uniform.
JUNIOR Erin Ferrell's STREAK ENDS
Heading into the contest with Holy Cross, Erin Ferrell had registered double figures in five consecutive games, but the junior tallied only six points against the Crusaders.
TOUGH STRETCH
With the game on Dec. 21 against East Carolina, Wake Forest finished up a stretch of four games in eight days.
GOT THE BEST OF ECU ON THE GLASS
East Carolina entered the game among the nation's best with a +10.3 rebounding advantage, but the Deacs out-rebounded the Pirates, 35-34, including 18-10 on the offensive glass.
GRAND LARCENY
Wake Forest forced a season high 32 turnovers in the victory over Florida A&M on Dec. 15. The Demon Deacons also registered 21 steals, falling just four shy of the single-game school record set on Jan. 2, 1988 against Delaware State. In the Deacs past four games, they have forced 122 turnovers.
A FAMILIAR FOE
While Wake Forest has not faced Virginia Tech since the 1978-79 season, head coach Charlene Curtis did face the Hokies six times in her tenure at Radford (1984-90). Curtis went 1-5 against Virginia Tech over than span.
STILL GETTING NICE BALANCE
Wake Forest had four and five players in double figures, respectively, in their wins over NC A&T and Florida A&M. It was the seventh time in the Deacs' eight games this season that they have registered at least three players in double digits.
OFFENSE RUNNING ON ALL CYLINDERS
Wake Forest has equalled its season-high for points (87) in each of the past two games. The Demon Deacons eclipsed the 50 percent shooting mark in each contest as well. Wake Forest hit 51.8% from the field against NC A&T and a season-high 53.2% from the floor against Florida A&M.
DEACS IN GIVING MOOD
Wake Forest dished out a season high 20 assists in the 87-29 victory over NC A&T on Dec. 14. The Deacs then recorded 18 more assists in the 87-57 rout of Florida A&M on Dec. 15. The two game total of 38 assists is the most assists in consecutive games since WFU dished out 45 in back-to-back wins over High Point and IUPUI last season.
FIVE IN DOUBLE FIGURES
In the 87-29 victory over NC A&T on Dec. 14, the Demon Deacons registered five players in double figures. Not only was it the first time this season that the Deacs accomplished such a feat, but it was the first time since Dec. 16, 2001 at High Point.
DEMON DEACONS ROLL OVER NC A&T
In the 87-29 victory over NC A&T on Dec. 14, the 58 point margin of victory was the largest winning margin since Nov. 26, 1990 when Wake Forest routed Morgan State, 90-29.
WAKE FOREST KEEPS LADY AGGIES BELOW FREEZING
In the 87-29 victory over NC A&T on Dec. 14, the 29 points allowed is not only season low, but nearly eclipsed the school record. The school record for fewest points allowed in a single game is 21 set on Feb. 10, 1972 when the Deacs defeated Guilford, 55-21. Wake Forest last held an opponent under 30 points on Nov. 26, 1990 in a 90-29 rout of Morgan State.
DEACS CLAMP DOWN ON NORTH CAROLINA A&T
Wake Forest limited the Lady Aggies to just 21.2% (11-for-52), including 16.1% (5-for-31) in the second half. The Deacs have now limited five of their eight opponents this season under 40 percent shooting. In fact, Loyola and NC A&T could not even manage 30 percent.
DUKE TOPS 50%
After limiting its opponents to only 32% from the floor in their first five games, Duke shot 51.8% from the field on Dec. 5. The Blue Devils are the only team this season to eclipse the 50% shooting clip against the Deacs.
BUCKLING DOWN ON ALANA BEARD
Wake Forest limited Duke All-American Alana Beard to only nine points, snapping a streak of 23 straight games with double figures.
BROWN CLIMBING THE ALL-TIME CHARTS
Senior Tonia Brown moved into third place on the all-time 3-point field goals and attempts lists. Brown has now connected on 122 from behind the 3-point arc on 401 attempts.
MARSHALL HURST DEACS ON OFFENSIVE GLASS
After outrebounding its two previous opponents (Nicholls State and Purdue), Wake Forest was outrebounded, 49-34, at Marshall on Dec. 2. The Herd also corralled 14 on the offensive glass, while the Deacs grabbed only seven.
DEACS LOSE AT FREE THROW LINE
Marshall took advantage of a major differential from the free throw line in the victory over the Deacs on Dec. 2. While Wake Forest went to line the line 14 times overall and seven in the second half, the Herd went to the line 39 times overall and 30 after halftime.
BROWN NEEDED MORE HELP
After registering at least three players in double figures over the first four games, Tonia Brown was the lone Demon Deacon in double figures in the loss at Marshall. Brown scored 15 points, while Erin Ferrell added nine and Liz Strunk chipped in seven.
BOND-YOUNG ON FIRE AGAINST PURDUE EARLY
Cotelia Bond-Young torched the Boilermakers in the first half for 13 points, but the sophomore did not register a field goal in the second half and finished with 14 for the afternoon.
FREE THROW STRUGGLES
Wake Forest continued its struggled from the free throw line against Purdue on Nov. 29. The Deacs finished 17-of-26 (65.4%) from the line. WFU shot only 58.9% (63-107) from the charity stripe in the season's first four outings.
TURNOVERS, THE STORY
The Deacs committed a season high 25 turnovers against the Boilermakers. In fact, 19 of the turnovers happened in the second half.
FERRELL STEPPING OUTSIDE
Junior Erin Ferrell drilled a career best three 3-pointers, all in the second half, against Purdue on Nov. 29. They are the only 3-pointers from the forward this season.
NICHOLLS STATE SNAPS STREAK
After holding its first two opponents (Loyola and Hampton) under 30% shooting from the field, Nicholls State managed to eclipse the 30% mark. The Lady Colonels hit a 3-pointer in the waning seconds to finish the night at 30.4% (17-for-56).
DEACS FINALLY WIN BATTLE OF BOARDS
After losing the battle of the boards in their first two games, Wake Forest out-rebounded Nicholls State, 40-36, and #8 Purdue, 36-34, in their two games at the 2003 UCF Golden Knight Classic.
BROWN LEADS WFU OVER LOYOLA
Tonia Brown recorded game highs in points (16), rebounds (9) and assists (5) in the Deacs?? 66-51 victory over Loyola College on Nov. 21. It was the first time one player led Wake Forest in those three categories since Olyvia Dardy turned the task with 30 points, eight rebounds and five assists against Duke on Mar. 2, 2001.
FOUR STRAIGHT SEASON OPENERS
The victory over Loyola on Nov. 21 was the fourth straight season opening win for the Demon Deacons.
IMPRESSIVE IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND
With the victory over Loyola, Wake Forest extended its winning streak over non-conference foes from the State of Maryland to eight.
WAKE FOREST SIGNS A PAIR
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. --- Wake Forest women's basketball coach Charlene Curtis announced Thursday that Christen Brown and Tara Tate have signed national letters of intent to play women's basketball for the Demon Deacons in 2004-05.
Brown, a 6-2 native of Dalton, Ga., can play either the guard or forward positions. Brown averaged 12.1 ppg and 10.0 rpg last season. She was selected to the 2002-03 Atlanta Journal Constitution Preseason All-Area squad. Brown was also chosen as a Gatorade Will to Win Athlete. This past summer, Brown competed at the adidas Top Ten Camp and was listed as the 47th best center in the most recent All-Star Girls Report.
Tate, a 5-6 guard, attends Freedom H.S. in Morganton, N.C. Tate averaged 17.2 ppg, 5.6 rpg and 5.1 apg last season. She has been awarded all-tournament team selections in her conference each of the past two seasons. This summer, Tate participated in the Youth Basketball of America Tournament and helped her team capture the National Championship. She was named the Most Valuable Player.