Wake Forest University
Miami
Wake Forest Falls at Miami, 77-51
2/8/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 8, 2007
CORAL GABLES, Fla. - Miami took advantage of a sloppy first half by Wake Forest, as the Hurricanes cruised to a 77-51 win over the Demon Deacons Thursday evening at the BankUnited Center.
Wake Forest drops to 9-14 overall and 0-9 in the ACC, while Miami moves to 11-14 overall, 2-8 in conference play.
The Hurricanes capitalized on 16 first-half turnovers by the Deacons to lead by 15, 39-24, at the half. Wake committed just seven turnovers in the second period but couldn't overcome the large deficit.
Freshman Mekia Valentine took over sole possession of Wake Forest's single-season freshman blocks record with three in the game. Valentine came into the night with 43 blocked shots on the year, tying her with Lisa Dodd (1986-87) for the rookie record. Valentine's first-half block on Renee Taylor gave the Greensboro native the new record.
Sophomore Alex Tchangoue led the Deacons with 19 points.
Classmate Corinne Groves fell just short of her eighth double-double of the season, finishing with 12 points and a team-high nine rebounds.
Valentine, who was recently named the ACC's Co-Rookie of the Week, joined the duo in double figures with 11 points.
Freshman Tiffany Roulhac recorded a game-high six assists.
Sophomore Yolanda Lavender, who came in as the ACC's second-leading scorer behind Miami's Taylor, went scoreless for the first time this season. Taylor finished with 16 points for the Hurricanes.
Miami broke open a close game early in the first half, using a 10-0 run to take a 19-8 lead on the Deacs. Wake Forest closed the deficit to 19-13 with five straight points from Valentine.
However, the Hurricanes followed by doubling up the Deacons 18-9 over the next 12 minutes to take their largest lead of the period, 37-22. Miami took a 39-24 lead into halftime.
Wake Forest did not threaten in the second half, getting no closer than 12 (52-40).
The Deacs out-rebounded the Hurricanes 40-35, but Miami won the turnover battle 12-23.
Wake returns to action on Sunday when it hosts in-state rival and No. 1-ranked Duke at 3 p.m.
