Wake Forest University
Samford
Demon Deacon Defense Smothers Samford, 51-40
12/18/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Final Stats (PDF) | Final Stats
By Wake Forest Athletic Communications (@WakeWBB)
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Elisa Penna tallied her first double-double of the season in Wake Forest's 51-40 victory over Samford Sunday afternoon at the LJVM Coliseum.
Penna matched her season-high of 17 points and pulled down 10 rebounds to record her fourth career double-double.
Alex Sharp also tied her career-high as she finished with 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting to go along with seven rebounds.
As a team, the Wake Forest defense limited Samford just 16 field goals while shooting 31.4 percent (16-of-51) from the field, the lowest shooting percentage by an opponent this season.
The Deacs (8-3), who never trailed Sunday, were on the board early as Milan Quinn netted a layup 20 seconds into the game. Wake Forest continued to build its lead and held Samford (5-6) scoreless for the first 3:39 of the game until Ellen Riggins hit a free throw to put the Bulldogs on the board down 9-1. The Demon Deacon defense smothered the Bulldog offense, as it took until the 4:38 mark of the first quarter for Samford to net its first field goal.
After building a lead of 14 in the first quarter, the Demon Deacons maintained its advantage and went into halftime leading by 15 at 34-19. The 15-point lead was the largest halftime lead for Wake Forest this season.
Wake Forest led by double digits for the entire third quarter before Samford looked to make a run. The Bulldogs trimmed the Demon Deacon lead to seven with 5:54 remaining, but were held scoreless for the remainder of the game as the Deacs closed out the 11-point victory.
Quinn nearly had a double-double as she ended with eight points and nine rebounds while Amber Campbell had eight points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals.
The Deacs dominated the glass, outrebounding the Bulldogs 42-25, including a plus-five margin on offense and plus-12 on the defensive end.
The Demon Deacons return to action Wednesday, Dec. 21 against VCU for School Day. Tip-off is set for 11 a.m. at LJVM Coliseum.
