Deacons Run Away From Mars Hill In Exhibition, 96-63

Saturday, November 5

Winston-Salem, NC

2:00 PM

Wake Forest University

Mars Hill (Exhibition)

Trent Strickland drives to the basket in front of Virginia Tech guard Shawn Harris during first half.

11/5/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball

Nov. 5, 2005

Final Stats | Quotes

WINSTON-SALEM, NC - Wake Forest avoided any chance of playing another nail-biting exhibition game, routing Division II Mars Hill 96-63 here Saturday afternoon at Lawrence Joel Coliseum.

The Deacons, who finish the exhibition season 2-0, were coming off an 88-84 win over Division II Winston-Salem State Thursday night in a contest that wasn't decided until the final moments. Other than Mars Hill tying the score 10-10 early on, there was little suspense today.

Senior guard Justin Gray scored all 18 of his points in the first half to lead the Deacons, who led 56-30 at intermission. Senior Eric Williams chipped in 15 points, junior Kyle Visser 13 points and freshmen Cameron Stanley and Harvey Hale added 12 points each.

Wake Forest played significantly better today against the outmanned Lions. Wake Forest shot better than 50 percent (.550), shot 41.2 percent from three-point range and dominated Mars Hill on the boards, 48-30.

Walt Baxley, a high school teammate of Wake's Michael Drum at North Forsyth High School, led Mars Hill with 22 points, including 10-of-10 from the free throw line.

Wake Forest, 27-6 a year ago, opens the regular season Thursday night against Mississippi Valley State in the opening round of the 2k Classic at Joel Coliseum.