Tchangoue, Groves Pick Up Paradise Jam Honors
11/25/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 25, 2007
ST. THOMAS, U.S.V.I. - The Wake Forest women's basketball team returned to the mainland on Sunday night following its 3-0 run in the St. John's Division at the Paradise Jam at the University of the Virgin Islands.
The Demon Deacons (5-1) took the division title over Thanksgiving weekend, marking the team's first tournament win since the Big 4 Classic in Greensboro, N.C. in 1996.
Juniors Corinne Groves and Alex Tchangoue picked up all-tournament honors for their weekend performances. Tchangoue was also named tournament MVP for her clutch work throughout the games, including her 16-point, five-rebound mark in Wake Forest's upset over No. 10 Texas A&M on Friday afternoon.
On opening day against Indiana (3-1), the Deacons fought their way back from a 10-point deficit at the half. A 3-pointer from Tchangoue put Wake ahead for the first time with 13 minutes to play and the Hoosiers were unable to regain the lead. Groves, who led the Deacons with 22 points for the night, added two free throws with 17 seconds remaining to set Wake Forest with the final 55-53 advantage.
On Friday the Demon Deacons faced their first ranked team of the season, the No. 10 Texas A&M Aggies (3-1), who took the Big 12 Tournament championship in 2007. The Aggies led by as much as ten points in the first half, but a jumper at the three-second mark from sophomore Mekia Valentine gave the Deacons a 23-22 lead at the half. Wake Forest finished the game with a 53-46 victory, handing the Aggies their first loss of the season. Tchangoue and guard Tiffany Roulhac lead the scoring charge with 16 and 12 points, respectively.
Wake Forest wrapped up Paradise Jam play with Wichita (1-4) on Saturday. Freshman Camille Collier scored a season high 17 points, while sophomore Courteney Morris pulled nine boards in the 54-47 victory.
The Deacons will make a quick return to action, facing Northwestern for the Big Ten/ACC Challenge on Wednesday night in Chicago.
