Wake Forest University
Syracuse
Long-Range Accuracy Lifts Syracuse Past Wake Forest
1/17/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Final Stats | Final Stats (PDF) 
By Wake Forest Athletic Communications (@WakeWBB)
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- A hot start for Syracuse proved to be too much of a hole to dig out of as Wake Forest women's basketball fell 91-65 to the Orange in ACC play on Sunday afternoon at LJVM Coliseum.
Syracuse shot 9-of-13 from the floor in the first quarter, including 7-of-11 from long range to build an early 14-4 lead and ultimately a 26-13 advantage after 10 minutes. Wake Forest matched the Orange through the second and third quarters and put together a comeback attempt in the fourth quarter, but the Orange finished the game on a 20-6 run in falling to 9-9 on the season and 0-5 in the ACC. Syracuse improved to 14-4 on the year and 4-1 in conference play.
Amber Campbell led the Deacs with a career-high 25 points on the afternoon and scored 16 of Wake Forest's 18 fast break points. Leading all scorers in the game, she has now scored in double figures in six straight and has led Wake Forest in scoring eight times this season. The sophomore also came away with five steals. Elisa Penna finished with 10 points and has now scored in double figures four times in her seven career games. Milan Quinn was the third Demon Deacon in double figures, as she finished with 12 points and a team-high eight rebounds. Overall, Wake Forest shot 22-of-55 from the field and hit 20-of-26 free throws.
Syracuse was led by Alexis Peterson and Brianna Butler's 19 points apiece. Brittney Sykes and Maggie Morrison each finished with 11 points while Cornelia Fondren capped the double-figure scorers with 10 points. Fondren also finished with five steals. The Orange matched its program record with 15 three pointers in the game. Seven of them came in the first quarter alone.
The Orange opened the game with a quick 8-0 run that forced Wake Forest to use a timeout 1:45 into the contest. Out of the break, the Deacs cut the lead down to four but Syracuse responded with two more three pointers to increase the lead to 10 at 14-4 and led by as many as 14 as the first quarter came to an end.
After trailing by 19 at halftime with the score 46-27, Wake Forest came out making seven of its first nine shots in the third quarter in an effort to mount a comeback, but the Deacons couldn't get any closer than 13 points at 55-42 as Syracuse matched the Deacs point for point.
Wake Forest again put together a comeback effort in the fourth quarter. Trailing by 20 at 71-51, the Deacs went on an 8-0 run to cut the lead to 71-59, but Syracuse withstood the run and put together a 20-6 run of its own over the final 4:07 to seal the win.
Wake Forest returns to action on Thursday night, Jan. 21, at LJVM Coliseum to finish out its short two-game homestand against North Carolina. First tip between the Demon Deacons and Tar Heels is set for 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN3.
