Wake Forest University
Rice
Wake Forest Women's Basketball Escapes Rice, 69-67
12/22/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 22, 2005
HOUSTON, TEXAS -- Senior Liz Strunk scored 17 of her 22 points in the second half and the Wake Forest women's basketball team overcame a late second-half surge by the Rice, as the Demon Deacons defeated the Owls, 69-67, Thursday night. The win improves the Demon Deacons to 6-3 overall and increases their winning streak to a season-high three games.
Senior Cotelia Bond-Young and freshman Deirdre Naughton both extended their double figure scoring streaks to nine games with 14 and 13 points, respectively. Off the boards Strunk, Naughton and freshman Corinne Groves all had six rebounds, while freshman Alex Tchangoue and Bond-Young each had four.
The game was close for the entire first half and the beginning of the second, but a 10-0 run with just under 15 minutes remaining put Wake Forest into control of the game. Extending the run into a 20-6 surge, the Deacs pushed their lead to nine, but Rice was quick to jump right back into the game. Hitting six unanswered points, the Owls sliced the Deacons lead to three, with five minutes left. Wake Forest was able to hold on and a missed jumper by Krystal Frazier with one second remaining sealed the victory for the Deacs.
In the first half, it was Wake that put the first points on the board but Rice took a six point lead at 12-6. Quickly diminishing the Owls' advantage, the Deacs fought back and the two teams proceeded to share the lead for the remainder of the half. Knotting the score six times and seesawing back and forth five times, the Owls went into the break with the 33-29 lead.
Statistically, Rice led in every category with the exception of steals. Frazier led the Owls with 13 points, while Lauren Neaves and Tiffany Loggins both added 11. In addition, Neaves led Rice with eight of the team's 45 rebounds.
The Demon Deacons will take a short break for the holidays and return on Dec. 28th to face Richmond on the road. Game time against the Spiders is set for 7 p.m.
