Wake Forest Athletics
Wake Forest University
Notre Dame
Wake Forest Drops Its First Game Of The Season To No. 16 Notre Dame 92-69
11/27/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 27, 2010
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SOUTH BEND, Ind. - No. 16 Notre Dame came out aggressive and Wake Forest never quite got settled as the Irish rolled to a 92-69 victory Saturday afternoon at the WBCA Classic in South Bend, Ind.
Notre Dame improves to 4-2 on the year while the Deacs drop their first game of the season and are now 4-1.
The story of the game from the free throw line. ND's aggressiveness forced 28 fouls by the Demon Deacons and the Irish capitalized, making a remarkable 37-of-43 free throw attempts. Wake's early season success hinged on its up-tempo offense and the numerous free throws by Notre Dame, allowed the Irish to setup its press and take the Deacs out of their game.
Wake Forest freshman center Lindsy Wright led the team with 14 points and four rebounds. The 14 points were her highest total this season. Junior Secily Ray, who recorded a double-double Friday night against Butler, finished with 13 points and five rebounds but fouled-out with just under three minutes to play. Sophomore Lakevia Boykin chipped-in with nine points and two steals while Mykala Walker added seven points.
Notre Dame had five players in double-figures, led by Natalie Novosel with 23 points. Novosel was 2-of-5 from long range and 11-of-12 from the free throw line. Erica Solomon poured in 14 points and had five rebounds while Devereaux Peters had 12 points and two steals. Skylar Diggins and Natalie Achonwa each finished with 11 points.
As a team, the Irish shot 50 percent (26-of-52) from the floor and held a 37-33 edge on the boards. Wake shot just 38 percent (23-of-61) on the day and committed a season-high 25 turnovers.
The Irish were the more aggressive team out of the gate, racing out to a 20-5 lead. ND would eventually take as much as a 21-point lead at 33-12 with 6:30 to play. Wake cut the lead to 14 after a couple of free throws by Wright but the Irish would take a 45-28 lead to intermission.
Notre Dame was 21-of-26 from the free throw line in the opening half and forced 16 Wake Forest turnovers. The Deacons also made the most of their trips to the charity stripe, canning 14-of-15 attempts.
The second half didn't start too much better for the Deacs as Notre Dame built a 24-point lead just three and a half minutes in. The lead swelled to as many as 32 at the 10 minute mark. The bright spot of the half for the Deacs was an 11-0 run sparked by a lay-up from Ray and a three-pointer by guard Brooke Thomas. The run cut the lead to 79-58 but the Irish responded and would close-out the game 92-69.
Wake will conclude the WBCA Classic on Sunday as it takes on IUPUI beginning at Noon eastern.
