Wake Forest Athletics
Demon Deacs To Face Virginia Thursday Night
2/24/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 24, 2004
| Game No. 26: Wake Forest vs. Virginia | |
| Records: | Demon Deacons (10-15, 3-11) vs. Cavaliers (12-14, 5-9) |
| When: | Thursday, February 26, 2004 - 7:30 p.m. |
| Where: | University Hall - Charlottesville, Va. |
| Coverage: | |
| Radio: | None |
| Game Notes: | |
DEACS HOPE TO BRING LOSING SKID TO A HAULT
The Wake Forest women's basketball team makes its final ACC regular season road trip of the season when it heads into Charlottesville to face Virginia. Tip-off at University Hall with the Cavaliers is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
The Demon Deacons, 10-15 overall and 3-11 in the ACC, have dropped a season-high six straight games. Most recently, the Deacs shot only 23.3% from the field in the first-half as Clemson ran away for a 72-55 victory in Joel Coliseum on Feb. 22. Wake Forest, which has failed to reach 60-points or the 40-percent shooting clip the last five times out, was led by senior Tonia Brown and junior Erin Ferrell. Brown scored a game-high 11 points, added four assists and four steals, while Ferrell chipped in 10 points off the bench.
Virginia, 12-14 overall and 5-9 in the ACC, enter the contest following an 73-71 loss to Florida State in Charlottesville on Feb. 22. Anna Prillaman led the Cavaliers with 14 points, including four 3-point field goals. Brandi Teamer scored 13 points and grabbed seven rebounds off the bench. After winning three straight games to climb even in the ACC at 5-5, the Cavaliers have dropped their last four games.
Teamer is the lone Virginia player scoring in double figures. The senior forward is scoring 12.0 ppg and grabbing a team-best 5.7 rpg. LaTonya Blue, who scored a team-high 16 in the earlier matchup this season, averages 9.6 ppg and 5.7 rpg, while Prillaman (9.4) and Kate Kreager (8.3) score 8.0+ points a game.
A WAKE FOREST WIN WOULD ...
Make the Demon Deacons 11-15 on the season ... Improve the Deacs to 4-11 in ACC action ... Snap the Deacs season-high six game losing streak ... Improve the Demon Deacons to 3-53 all-time against Virginia ... Snap the Demon Deacons losing streak in Charlottesville at 22 games ... Make the Deacs 3-5 on the road in ACC games ... Be the third ACC victory on the road this season; first time since the 1995-96 campaign ... Improve the Deacs to 2-23 all-time against the Cavaliers in Charlottesville ... Give the Deacs a split in the season series for the second straight year ... Up Curtis' all-time record to 228-277 ... Give Curtis a record of 66-127 at WFU ... Improve the Deacs to 351-483 all-time.
A WAKE FOREST LOSS WOULD ...
Make the Demon Deacons 10-16 on the season ... Drop the Deacs to 3-12 in ACC action ... Extend the Deacs' losing streak to a season-high seven games ... Drop the WFU to 2-54 all-time against Virginia ... Extend the Demon Deacons losing streak in Charlottesville to 23 games ... Make the Deacs 2-6 on the road in ACC games ... Drop the Deacs to 1-24 all-time against the Cavaliers in in Charlottesville ... Give Virginia a sweep in the regular season series ... Drop Curtis' all-time record to 227-278 ... Give Curtis a record of 65-128 at WFU ... Improve the Deacs to 350-484 all-time.
LAST TIME OUT
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Julie Aderhold led four Clemson players in double figures with 19 points as the Lady Tigers defeated Wake Forest, 72-55, on Sunday afternoon and senior day at Joel Coliseum.
Aderhold shot 8-for-13 from the field, including 3-for-6 from three-point range to help Clemson (17-8) record their seventh ACC victory of the season. The Lady Tigers are now .500 in league play at 7-7, while the Demon Deacons (10-15) drop their sixth consecutive game and fall to 3-11 in the ACC.
The Deacons and Lady Tigers traded buckets through the first seven minutes of the second half, and Wake Forest managed to pull within seven points at 40-33 after a three-point play by freshman center Melissa Washington, who set new career-highs with eight points and 11 rebounds.
Clemson would pull ahead for good over the final twelve minutes of the game. Freshman Carrie Whitehurst scored nine of her 12 points during that span for the Tigers, while Lakeia Stokes poured in ten and finished with 17 points in the game. Stokes also led Clemson with four assists. Khaili Sanders recorded a double-double with 12 points and a game-high 12 rebounds.
Wake Forest finished the game shooting just 5-for-30 from three-point range and 31 percent (19-for-60) from the field overall, while Clemson hit six of its 13 three-point baskets and shot nearly 46 percent from the field for the game. Wake Forest has not reached the 60-point mark or 40 percent shooting in any of its last five games.
The Deacons were led offensively by Tonia Brown. The senior guard finished with 11 points, while junior Erin Ferrell chipped in 10 off the bench.
Wake Forest forced eight Clemson turnovers in the game's first four minutes - as the Deacs raced out to a 6-0 lead. The Lady Tigers slowly chipped away and grabbed its first lead of the game, 8-7, at the 11:40 mark of the first-half. The lead was short-lived as Porsche' Jones answered with a 3-pointer at 10:48 - giving the Deacs a 10-8 lead.
The Demon Deacons extended their lead to four-points, 15-11, after Tonia Brown's 3-pointer at 8:30, but Clemson responded with a 15-2 run over the 6:13 - including 10 consecutive points on back-to-back 3-point field goals from Aderhold and a break-away lay-up from Stokes. Leading 26-17 with 2:17 left in the first-half, the Lady Tigers would take its largest lead of the half, 29-19, into halftime.
Wake Forest managed only 19 points in the first-half - third fewest in any half this season. The Deacs also shot a single-half season low of 23.3% (7-for-30) from the field in the opening 20-minutes. Wake Forest also turned the ball over 10 times.
NOTES FROM 72-55 LOSS TO CLEMSON
... gives the Deacs a record of 10-15 on the season
... makes the Demon Deacons 3-11 in ACC action
... extends the Deacs losing streak to a season-high six games
... drops the Demon Deacons to 9-40 all-time against Clemson
... makes the Deacs 1-6 this season in ACC home games
... drops the Demon Deacons to 5-19 all-time against the Lady Tigers in Winston-Salem and 3-12 at Joel Coliseum
... is the first for Wake Forest against Clemson at Joel Coliseum since the 2000-01 season
... makes head coach Charlene Curtis 227-277 all-time record
... gives head coach Charlene Curtis a 65-127 record at Wake Forest
... makes Wake Forest 350-483 all-time
... Wake Forest managed only 19 points in the first-half; third worst in any half this season
... the Demon Deacons shot 23.3% (7-for-30) in the first-half; worst single-half shooting percentage in any game this season
... Wake Forest was outrebouned 27-18 in the first-half
... the Deacs found themselves trailing at halftime for the fourth straight game and third time in the same span by double figures
... sixth game this season that Wake Forest started all three seniors and first game since Dec. 5 against #4/4 Duke
... the Demon Deacons blocked three shots; most this season since the Deacs blocked five against Holy Cross on Dec. 28
... the Deacs launced a season-high 30 3-point field goal attempts; most since Feb. 2, 2003 at Florida State (30)
... over the past two games, the Demon Deacons have shot 14.2% (6-for-42) from 3-point territory
... Deacs were out-rebounded for the fifth consecutive game
... Demon Deacons falied to reach 60 points and 40-percent shooting for the fourth striahgt game
Senior Tonia Brown
... made 107th career appearance and 68th career start
... first start since Jan. 9 against Maryland; a span of 10 games
... has now made 135 career 3-point field goals
... moved into sole possession of seventh place for career steals with 172; past Jenny Mitchell (1988-91)
... registered season-high four steals; three in first-half
... eclipsed the double figure plateau for the 14th time this season and 44th of her career
Senior Bianca Brown
... made 107th career appearance and 45th career start
... first start since Jan. 2 at #14/14 North Carolina; a span of 12 games
Junior Erin Ferrell
... reached the double figure plateau for the 17th time this season and 31st of career
Junior Meredith Bell
... tied season-high with six points
... season-high for field goal attempts (6) and 3-point field goal attempts (5)
Sophomore Liz Strunk
... scored only two points in the first-half on 1-for-8 shooting
... tied season-low for points in a single-game with just five
Sophomore Cotelia Bond-Young
... just 1-for-11 from the field on Sunday; only 16.2% (6-for-37) from the field and 5.8% (1-for-17) from 3-point land in the past four games
Freshman Melissa Washington
... bested her previous career-high of six rebounds with seven boards in the first-half
... finished with a career-high 11 rebounds; most for any Wake Forest player this season
... played a career-high of 26 minutes; previous career-high was 21 minutes at Maryland on Feb. 9
... scored a career-high of eight points
LAST MEETING WITH VIRGINIA
CLEMSON, S.C. - Virginia guard LaTonya Blue scored 16 points, including the gamewinning jumper with 13 seconds left, to lead the Cavaliers to a come-from-behind victory over Wake Forest, 62-61, in ACC women's basketball action on Feb. 1.
With a 61-60 lead and just 23.3 seconds left, sophomore Liz Strunk missed a pair of free-throws. Virginia pushed the ball up the floor and Blue pulled up, draining a 16-foot jumper from the top of the key to give the Cavaliers their first lead since the opening minutes of the game.
The Deacs advanced the ball pass mid-court, before calling a time-out. After the time-out, Wake Forest nearly got the ball to an open Strunk on the left block, but a Cavalier knocked the pass attempt out of bounds. On the inbounds play, Erin Ferrell caught the pass and fired a shot toward the bucket, glancing off the backboard. Bianca Brown collected the rebound, but her tip at the buzzer rolled off the front of the rim.
The Demon Deacons looked on the verge of its first three-game winning streak in ACC action in 16 years. Senior Tonia Brown pushed the Wake Forest lead as many as 15 points, 47-32, with 13:27 left in regulation.
The Cavaliers would explode on a 16-4 run over the next four minutes, cutting the Wake Forest lead to three points, 51-48, with 9:02 left. The Deacs pushed the lead back to five points, but Virginia climbed back within a point, 53-52.
Cotelia Bond-Young buried a huge 3-pointer at 4:07, giving the Deacs a 56-52 lead, but the Cavaliers answered with four straight points on offensive rebounds from Tiffany Sardin. It was the first time since the 18:24 mark of the first-half that the Deacs had not led the game.
Tonia Brown drilled a 3-pointer and Erin Ferrell followed with one of two from the free-throw line, giving the Deacs another four point lead, 60-56, with 1:42 left. But, another put-back, this time from Anna Crosswhite, cut the Wake Forest lead to two points, 60-58.
After Tracy Alston managed just a split at the free-throw stripe, Blue knocked down a pull-up jumper with only 33-seconds left in the game. Strunk was fouled on the ensuing possession with just 23.3 seconds, but the sophomore was unable to give the Deacs any cushion.
Strunk finished with a game-high 19 points. The forward has now led the Demon Deacons in scoring over the past six games. The sophomore was 8-for-11 from the field and grabbed seven rebounds. Ferrell was only 5-for-15 from the floor, but the junior did grab a season-high nine rebounds.
Blue went 8-for-14 on the afternoon and scored 12 of her team-high 16 in the second-half. Brandi Teamer and Anna Prillaman added 15 points apiece. The Cavaliers dominated the boards, out-rebounding the Deacs, 41-33 and 14-5 on the offensive glass.
Strunk and Ferrell carried the Demon Deacons in the first-half. Wake Forest jumped out to a quick 12-6 lead at the 15:15 mark. The duo combined for seven of the 12 points, including Strunk's five. After the Cavaliers narrowed the deficit to only two points (12-10) at 13:11, the Deacs answered with a 11-1 run over the next six minutes to grab their largest lead of the half, 23-11. Again, Strunk and Ferrell poured in seven points in the run.
The Cavaliers climbed back within three points on two occasions, but Ferrell's jumper with 27-seconds left in the half allowed the Demon Deacons to enter the halftime lockerroom up five points, 33-28.
Strunk knocked down 5-for-6 from the field and scored 12 points in the first-half, while Ferrell hit 4-of-5 from the floor for 10 points. The Demon Deacons shot .556 (15-for-27) from the floor in the opening 20 minutes.
NOTABLES FROM THE 62-61 LOSS TO VIRGINIA BACK ON FEB. 5
... gives the Deacs a record of 10-10 on the season
... a record of 3-6 in ACC action
... a 1-1 mark on the ACC Women's Basketball Regional Sports Network
... prevents the first three-game winning streak in ACC play since the 1987-88 season; a span dating 16 years
... a 2-53 all-time record against the Cavaliers
... a 1-24 all-time mark against Virginia in Winston-Salem and 1-14 in Joel Coliseum
... a 1-6 record on Super Bowl Sunday
... head coach Charlene Curtis a 227-272 all-time record
... head coach Charlene Curtis a 65-122 record at Wake Forest
... a 350-478 all-time record
... the 4-5 record is the best record for Wake Forest through nine ACC games since the 1995-96 season
... the Demon Deacons shot .556 (15-for-27) from the field in the first-half Sunday afternoon; second-best single-half field goal percentage this year
... failed to register at least three players in double figures for only the fourth game this season
... grabbed only five offensive rebounds; single-game low for the Deacs this season
... after knocking down at least eight 3-pointers in the last four games, Wake hit only three Sunday afternoon
Cotelia Bond-Young ICE COLD
After averaging 14.1 ppg in the Deacs first 10 ACC games - including nine in double figures - the sophomore guard has gone ice cold for the Demon Deacons in the past three games. Bond-Young has scored only 4.0 ppg. She is shooting only 11.1% (3-for-27) from the field and 0% (0-for-12) from 3-point land. Bond-Young was even held scoreless against #4/4 Duke on Feb. 12. It was only her second career scoreless game.
GETTING HURT ON THE BOARDS
Wake Forest has been hurt on the glass most of the season, but the Deacs' struggles have been magnified the past four games. Not only have the Demon Deacons been outrebounded in each game, but Wake Forest has allowed 54 offensive rebounds. Wake Forest is getting outrebounded by an average of 43.0 to 34.2. In fact, Florida State and Duke outscored the Demon Deacons, 58-30, in the paint and, 62-29, on second-chance points.
DEMON DEACONS NOT ON ALL CYLINDERS
Wake Forest has failed to reach the 60-point plateau in their last four games. The Deacs - averaging 55.0 ppg in that stretch - are shooting 32.5% (77-for-237) from the field and 21.1% (16-for-76) from 3-point land.
WAKE FOREST UNABLE TO TURNOVER FLORIDA STATE
Wake Forest have forced six of their opponents into 20 or more turnovers in a single game. However, Florida State (2.16) committed only nine turnovers on Feb. 16 - a single-game low for a Demon Deacon opponent.
FOUR AMONG TOP-20 OF ACC SCORING
Wake Forest is just one of two schools (Duke being the other) that can claim it has four players among the ACC's top-20 in scoring. Sophomore Liz Strunk leads the way for the Deacs and is eighth overall in the league at 13.2 ppg, while junior Erin Ferrell is 14th at 11.3 ppg, sophomore Cotelia Bond-Young is tied for 17th at 10.4 ppg and senior Tonia Brown is tied for 20th at 9.6 ppg. The Blue Devils have senior Alana Beard leading the league at 20.4, sophomore Monique Currie is 10th at 12.2 ppg, senior Iciss Tillis is 11th at 12.1 ppg and senior Misie Bass is 16th at 10.4 ppg.
ALMOST FOUR IN DOUBLE FIGURES
The Deacs have had four players averaging double figures on numerous occasions this season. Sophomore Liz Strunk scores 13.2 ppg, junior Erin Ferrell nets 11.3 ppg, sophomore Cotelia Bond-Young pours in 10.4 ppg and senior Tonia Brown has teetered back and forth around 10.0 ppg (now at 9.6 ppg). If the Demon Deacons were to finish the season with those four in double figures, it would be the first season the Deacs have had four in double figures since 2000-01. That season, WFU posted Eafton Hill (11.4), Olivia Dardy (11.0), Kristen Shaffer (10.1) and Brenda Mock-Kirpatrick (10.0) in double figures.
DEACS LOOKING FOR THIRD ACC ROAD VICTORY OF SEASON
Wake Forest had three straight opportunities to gets its third ACC road victory of the season. The Demon Deacons just wrapped up a three-game road swing. In fact, the Deacs were the only team in the entire ACC that was forced to play three straight away from home in league action. Wake Forest has not registered three road ACC wins in a single-season since the 1995-96 season.
TOUGH THREE-GAME ROAD SWING
Wake Forest wrapped up its three consecutive ACC games Monday night at Florida State. The Deacs dropped all three games. Wake Forest is the only ACC school that has been faced with three straight ACC road contests. The Deacs had a similar fate during the 1997-98 season and dropped all three.
STRUNK/FERRELL CONTINUE TO LEAD DESPITE UNDERSIZE
Sophomore Liz Strunk and junior Erin Ferrell have continued to make names for themselves, despite playing out of position all year. Strunk, a natural small forward, has been forced to play much of her time at the power forward spot, while Ferrell, a natural off forward, has spent a lot of her time at center. Nonetheless, the two are 1-2 on the Deacs in scoring and rebounding. In fact, the two have led the Deacs in scoring 15 times and rebounding 13 times.
Tonia Brown MOVES UP IN CAREER STEALS CATEGORY
Senior guard Tonia Brown not only became the 12th player in Wake Forest women's basketball history to eclipse 1,000 points earlier this year, but Brown moved past Jenny Mitchell for seventh place in career steals. Brown has 172 steals and needs only 10 to tie Tracy Connor in sixth place. She also ranks ninth with 278 career assists - needing nine to vault Heidi Coleman for eighth place.
Liz Strunk FAILS TO REACH DOUBLE FIGURES
Sophomore Liz Strunk had put together one of the more impressive scoring streaks in recent Wake Forest women's basketball history. Strunk had eclipsed double figures in 11 straight games, before falling short against Maryland on Feb. 9. She was the first Demon Deacon to reach double figures in 11 consecutive games since Tracy Connor during the 1995-96 season. Connor eclipsed double figures in 11 consecutive games as well.
Over the 11-game streak ...
The forward not only reached double figures in all those games, but led the Demon Deacons in scoring for six straight games (streak ended against NC State on Feb. 5). Over the streak, Strunk averaged 16.5 ppg - including 19.0 ppg in the six games in which she led the Deacs in scoring. Strunk set a career-high of 26 points against Florida State on Jan. 15, besting previous career-high of 23 set against Maryland on Jan. 9. It was Strunk's second straight game with 20 or more points. She became the first Demon Deacon to register back-to-back 20 point games since Olivia Dardy on Feb. 25 and Mar. 2 of 2001. Her 49 points over two games are the most in any two-game span since Olivia Dardy netted 57 points in consecutive outings on Feb. 25 and Mar. 2 of 2001. Strunk also grabbed a career-best 10 rebounds against the Seminoles becoming the only Demon Deacon to record a double-double this season and first since Tiffani Listenbee at NC State on Feb. 23, 2003.
NO DEMON DEACONS IN DOUBLE FIGURES
Wake Forest failed to register a single player in double figures in the loss at Maryland on Feb. 9. The last time the Demon Deacons failed to register a player in double figures occurred during the 2000-01 season. LaChina Robinson led the Deacs with seven points on Feb. 8, 2001 in a 69-35 loss to NC State.
Keila Evans ENDS SCORELESS STREAK
Wake Forest sophomore Keila Evans, who started the Deacs first 10 games this season, scored six points in the loss to Maryland on Feb. 9. Evans, who had not scored in her previous six games, went 3-for-3 from the field and grabbed two rebounds in seven minutes of action. It was the most points for Evans since she netted nine at NC State on Jan. 5.
RIGHT DOWN TO THE WIRE
The Wake Forest women's basketball team is quite accustomed to close games. Last season, the Demon Deacons had seven games decided by five points or less and Wake was 1-6 in those contests. This season, the Deacs have already had seven games decided by five points or less (3-4), including five straight over a span from Jan 21-Feb. 5. It was the first time in program history that five straight games were decided by five points or less.
Tonia Brown ECLIPSES 1,000 POINTS FOR CAREER
Senior Tonia Brown needed just 11 points last Thursday night to become the 12th player in Wake Forest women's basketball history to eclipse the 1,000 point barrier. Brown reached the mark early in the second-half of the Deacs' 70-66 loss to NC State.
Liz Strunk, MOST IMPROVED PLAYER IN THE ACC?
Sophomore Liz Strunk is without a doubt one of the most improved players in the entire ACC, if not the most improved. Strunk averaged 4.0 ppg and 2.5 rpg in 26 games a season ago, but she has doubled her scoring and rebounding this season. Strunk averages 13.2 ppg and 5.0 rpg. She ranks eighth in the conference in scoring, 15th in field goal percentage (.480), 14th in free-throw percentage (.716) and 15th in steals (1.44). Strunk is also fifth in ACC games only scoring 14.7 ppg.
Erin Ferrell MAKING THE MOST IN THE POST
Junior Erin Ferrell has started 14 of the last 15 games for Wake Forest. The natural forward has been forced to play much of her time at the center spot. Despite standing 6-0, Ferrell has continued to play well. In those starts, she is scoring 11.5 ppg and grabbing 5.2 rpg. Ferrell has reached the double-figure plateau nine times in that stretch, including a career-high 22 points against UNC on Jan. 2. After her 17-point effort in the loss at #4/4 Duke on Feb. 12, she had registered double figures for the 16th time this season and 30th in career. Ferrell also grabbed a season-high nine rebounds against the Cavaliers. She recorded a career-high five steals in the upset of #10 UNC on Jan. 26.
Chris Paul NOT ONLY HOMETOWN POINT GUARD AT WFU
Redshirt freshman Porsche' Jones' string of 18 consecutive starts at point guard for the Deacs ended Feb. 22 against Clemson. Jones scored 10 points, jut two off her career-high, in the defeat at Florida State on Feb. 16. While Jones is averaging only 5.0 ppg, the Carver H.S. product leads the Deacs in steals with 39 and ranks second on the squad with 67 assists. Jones has registered nearly two assists to every turnover. Jones went a stretch of 95 minutes earlier this season without a single turnover. Jones has really been a steady ball handler in ACC play ranking second in ACC games only with nearly a 3-to-1 assist to turnover ratio.
Cotelia Bond-Young PASSES 500
With her seven points against Virginia on Feb. 1, sophomore guard Cotelia Bond-Young eclipsed 500 for her career. Bond-Young was the second Deac to eclipse the 500-point barrier this season. Erin Ferrell surpassed 500 points against UNC on Jan. 2.
NEARLY THREE STRAIGHT ACC WINS
With its victory over Georgia Tech on Jan. 29, Wake Forest put together back-to-back ACC wins for the first time since the 2001-02 season. In fact, the Demon Deacons had the opportunity to accomplish something that has not been done in over 16 years. The Deacs were one win shy of their first three-game winning streak in the ACC since the 1987-88 season. That year, the Deacs had five consecutive wins over Duke, Clemson, North Carolina, Georgia Tech and NC State.
THE DEACS REALLY STRUGGLE ON SUPER BOWL SUNDAY
Wake Forest has played on seven of the past eight Super Bowl Sundays. The Deacs are 1-6 in those contests. The Deacs' lone victory came on Feb. 3, 2002 against Georgia Tech, 69-61.
RALEIGH AND ATLANTA NOT FRIENDLY?
Wake Forest entered this season with a combined record of 6-43 at NC State and Georgia Tech. In fact, the Demon Deacons had lost 13 of the last 14 games in both Reynolds Coliseum and Alexander Memorial Coliseum. But, the Deacs walked out of both arenas this season with wins.
ACC REGULAR SEASON HALFWAY OVER
With half of the 2003-04 ACC season complete, the Demon Deacons stand with a respectable 3-5 mark. The three victories are the most for a Wake Forest squad through the first eight league games since 2001-02.
DEMON DEACONS BREAK TREND AGAINST GEORGIA TECH
Entering the contest with Georgia Tech on Jan. 29, Wake Forest had not won a single game when trailing with five minutes left. The Deacs found themselves down 44-40 with five minutes left, but sent the game into overtime before holding on for the win.
DEACS CONNECTED FROM LONG DISTANCE
Wake Forest caught fire from 3-point territory in the four game stretch between Jan. 15-29. The Demon Deacons connected on 36-for-89, good for just over 40-percent. The Deacs drained a season-best 10 three-point field goals in the 81-73 loss to Florida State on Jan. 15. Wake Forest drilled eight against Clemson (1.21) and nine against both UNC (1.26) and Georgia Tech (1.29). The Demon Deacons had launched at least 20 3-pointers over the span.
Liz Strunk CAREER NIGHT AGAINST FSU
... career-high 26 points, besting previous career-high of 23 set against Maryland on Jan. 9
... second straight 20+ point game; first Deac to register back-to-back 20 point games since Olivia Dardy on Feb. 25 and Mar. 2 of 2001
... 49 points over two games are the most in any two-game span since Olivia Dardy (57) on Feb. 25 and Mar. 2 of 2001
... only Deac to record a double-double this season and first since Tiffani Listenbee (18pts/12 reb) at NC State on Feb. 23, 2003
... sixth straight game in double figures; 12th double-figure game of the season and 13th of career
... 20 field goal attempts were not only a career-high for Strunk, but was a season-high for the Demon Deacons as a team
... dished out a season-high four assists
... grabbed a career-high 10 rebounds
Tonia Brown NOT IN STARTING LINEUP
Tonia Brown has not started the past three outings. She failed to start against Florida State on Jan. 15. It snapped a streak of 28 consecutive starts for the senior. Prior to the game with the Seminoles, the last game that Tonia Brown had not started was on Jan. 16, 2003 against Duke.
BOND-YOUNG GOES OFF AGAINST NC STATE
Sophomore Cotelia Bond-Young exploded for 27 points, including 21 in the second-half, to lead the Demon Deacons past the Wolfpack, 70-66, on Jan. 5. The game was a career-high for Bond-Young, but it also marked the first time since Jan. 10, 2002 that a Demon Deacon eclipsed the 25-point mark. Tonia Brown totalled a career-high 28 against FSU.
THE STREAK IS OVER
Wake Forest picked up its first ACC victory of the season on Jan. 5 at NC State, but it came in an arena in which the Demon Deacons have had very little success. The Deacs held off a late charging NC State, 70-66. The victory not only snapped a 14-game losing streak to the Wolfpack, but it was Wake's first win in Raleigh over the Wolfpack since Feb. 25, 1996 - a span of seven consecutive road losses. In fact, the triumph was only the Deacs second victory in 28 games in Raleigh.
Erin Ferrell GOES OFF AGAINST TAR HEELS
Junior Erin Ferrell scored a career-high 22 points, surpassing 500 points for her career, in the losing effort against #14 North Carolina on Jan. 2. It marked the second time in the previous four games that Ferrell had bested her previous career-high. Ferrell was not only the first Demon Deacons to eclipse the 20 point barrier this season, but the first since Tiffani Listenbee's 21 against NC A&T on Feb. 19 of last year.
DEACS LET ONE GET AWAY
Entering the game with #15/16 Virginia Tech on Dec. 29, Wake Forest had gone 7-0 when leading with less than 10 minutes to go, but the Hokies snapped that streak when they rallied from a seven-point, second-half deficit for a 70-59 victory.
FREE THROW LINE UNKIND TO WAKE FOREST
The Demon Deacons are shooting just .650 from the free throw line, second worst in the ACC. The struggles from the charity stripe haunted the Deacs in their 70-59 loss at #15/16 Virginia Tech on Dec. 29. Wake Forest had a pair of seven-point, second half leads, but a 4-of-14 effort from the free throw line in the second-half allowed the Hokies to rally.
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 is a season best for the Deacs.
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 got 75 points from its bench against East Carolina and Holy Cross.
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.
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.
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' previous eight games that they had registered at least three players in double digits.
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 had 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.
DEACS KEEP LADY AGGIES BELOW FREEZING POINT
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.
MARSHALL HURTS DEACS ON 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, WFU outrebounded 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 had 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.
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. "
