Deacs Sneak Past Norfolk State, Win Sixth Straight

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – A strong third quarter by the Wake Forest women's basketball team proved to be the difference maker Sunday (Dec. 30), as the Demon Deacon snuck past Norfolk State, 63-61. The victory was the sixth in a row for the Deacs, who improved to 9-4 heading into conference play.

Elisa Penna scored a game-high 19 points, moving up three spots on the all-time scoring list. The senior from Bergamo, Italy now has 1,210 career points, 16th-most in program history. Alex Sharp nearly recorded her third-consecutive double-double, finishing with 12 points and eight rebounds.

Leading 40-34 with 4:15 to play in the third quarter, Wake Forest pulled away from visiting Norfolk State (5-8), using a 14-0 run to push the advantage to 20. Penna began the run with a free throw coming off a Spartan technical foul. Three pointers from Gina Conti, Sharp and Kaylen Dickson highlighted the run, which lasted 3:15.

The 20-point lead proved to be just enough as the Spartans mounted a furious comeback in the fourth quarter. Over the final 10 minutes, Norfolk State outscored Wake Forest 24-9 as the Deacs held onto the two-point victory.

Norfolk State had a shot to potentially win the game, as the Spartans had the ball with 10 seconds left, trailing by two. But stingy defense by the Deacs forced a contested shot that came up short, sealing the Deacs' win.

Once again, the Deacs dominated the glass, 43-30, marking the 13th consecutive game in which Wake Forest has outrebounded its opponent.

The Demon Deacons ring in 2019 and the start of conference play on Sunday, January 6, as Miami comes to town. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. on ACC Network Extra.

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Team Stats

Elisa Penna

Alex Sharp

Kaylen Dickson

Ona Udoh

Players Mentioned

Gina Conti

Kaylen Dickson

Elisa Penna

Alex Sharp

Players Mentioned

Gina Conti

Kaylen Dickson

Elisa Penna

Alex Sharp

Wake Forest Athletics