Wake Comeback Falls Short at Georgia Tech

ATLANTA, Ga. – Despite a fourth-quarter charge, the Wake Forest women's basketball team fell at Georgia Tech 62-52 on Sunday afternoon.

Trailing by as much as 17 points against the Yellowjackets (16-8, 7-6 ACC), the Demon Deacons (12-12, 5-8 ACC) climbed all the way back within four before falling on the road.

Led by their upperclassmen, the Deacs heated up from the floor with seven minutes to play in the game. The Gina Conti jumper was the start of a 10-0 run that brought Wake Forest within five points of Georgia Tech.

After a made free throw on the other end by the Jackets, Ivana Raca banked one off the window to make it a 47-43 game with 2:47 left to play.

It was as close as Wake would get. Georgia Tech hit free throws free throws at the end to push it back to a double-digit margin.

For the fourth consecutive game, senior Alex Sharp led the Demon Deacons in scoring and rebounding. Despite battling foul trouble in the first half, the Melbourne, Australia native nearly finished the game with her 20th double-double in her collegiate career.

Sharp ended the afternoon with 16 points including a pair of triples. She was key in helping start the Demon Deacons comeback effort, scoring on back-to-back buckets at the end of the third quarter.

"Despite the tough loss on the road today, I was encouraged to see our team claw themselves back into the game there in the fourth quarter," head coach Jen Hoover said. "It just shows how much fight and determination this group has. Unfortunately, it just wasn't enough in the end."

The Demon Deacons inside presence helped keep the game tight through the first 20 minutes of action. Off the bench, Ona Udoh led all Wake Forest players with eight points.

Raca, who knocked down a three to put the Deacs up 18-17 at the 8:31 mark of the second quarter, added seven points on the wing. Wake led as late as four minutes left in the half, but Georgia Tech held a 28-22 advantage at halftime.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Both teams came out hot from the field. Through the first four minutes, it was all tied at 8-8 with the help of a steal from Gina Conti. It helped lead to a run out, finding Ivana Raca for a jumper from the right elbow.
Wake Forest was able to establish themselves in the painted area as eight of their 13 first quarter points came off layups. Despite finding success inside. The Deacs trailed 17-13 after first 10 minutes.
Ona Udoh helped put the Demon Deacons ahead with six points in the second quarter. The senior forward got out on the fastbreak twice for layups and a jumper at the 4:12 mark of the second half had Wake Forest up 22-21.
It would be the last points in the Deacs would score in the half as they trailed 28-22 at the midway point.
Despite having just as many attempts as the Yellowjackets though the first seven minutes of the third quarter, Wake Forest was unable to find the bottom of the basket. During this stretch, the deficit grew to 38-23.
With the help of buckets on back-to-back possessions from Alex Sharp, Wake Forest chipped into the deficit it trailed 43-31 heading into the final 10 minutes of play.
The Demon Deacons continued to charge in the fourth quarter. Raca knocked down a jumper off the glass to cut the deficit to 47-43 with 2:47 left in the game. It would be as close as the Deacs would get, falling 62-52 in Atlanta.

UP NEXT
The Demon Deacons are back on the road Thursday as they travel to Clemson to take on Tigers. Wake Forest won the first matchup earlier this season in Winston-Salem, 63-58.

The game can also be seen on ACCNX with tipoff scheduled for 7 p.m. (ET).

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Team Stats

Alex Sharp

Ivana Raca

Ona Udoh

Anaia Hoard

Players Mentioned

Gina Conti

Ivana Raca

Alex Sharp

Ona Udoh

Players Mentioned

Gina Conti

Ivana Raca

Alex Sharp

Ona Udoh

Wake Forest Athletics