Wake Forest University
4-0,0-0ACC
Charlotte
-12,00 CUSA
Demon Deacons Defensive and Rebounding Effort Leads to Fourth Win
11/18/2021 9:29:00 PM | Women's Basketball
A strong second half defensive effort leads to Wake Forest’s fourth win of the season as the Demon Deacons become the second team in the Hoover era to start 4-0.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- The Wake Forest women's basketball team (4-0) defeated the Charlotte 49ers (1-2), 55-49, Thursday night at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
The Demon Deacons now begin the season 4-0 for the second time under head coach Jen Hoover (2014-15) and for the sixth time since the 2004-05 season.
Wake Forest was led offensively by two double-digit scorers in Elise Williams and Jewel Spear. Williams scored a game-high 15 points while also recording five rebounds and three assists. Spear tallied 12 points, four rebounds and two assists. On the glass, Olivia Summiel collected 14 boards and added eight points of her own.
Her 14 boards was a career high, topping her previous career best of 11 against Pittsburgh (Feb. 11 2021) and versus Davidson (Nov. 28, 2020).
The Deacons found themselves trailing the 49ers after the first half, 31-24, before clamping the Niners down in the second half. Wake Forest took advantage of a strong third quarter defensive effort in which they out-scored Charlotte 23-10 and took a 47-41 lead they would not relinquish.
The Deacs held the 49ers to 21 percent shooting in the third quarter
Wake Forest began the final period on a 6-0 run to extend their lead to twelve, the highest of the game, while continuing to keep the Charlotte offense in check.
The Deacs held the Niners to 11.0 percent shooting in the final twelve minutes. After a last ditch effort by Charlotte, the Deacons connected on a pair of Jewel Spear free-throws to cement the 55-49 victory.
HOW IT HAPPENED
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Charlotte opened up scoring with the first points of the game off a jumper three minutes into the contest.
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Layups by Jewel Spear and Elise Williams snapped a 9-0 run by Charlotte to cut into the 49er lead, 13-8, with two minutes left in the first quarter.
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A pair of Charlotte baskets increased their lead to 17-8 at the end of the first.
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In addition to Spear and Williams, Niyah Becker and Christina Morra tallied a bucket in the opening period.
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A fastbreak layup by Williams gave the Deacs their first points of the second quarter, 21-10.
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The Deacons chipped away at the 49er lead, 23-19, cutting it to four points as Wake Forest embarked on a 9-0 run.
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Demeara Hinds led the way by connecting on a three-point play, converting a layup while being fouled.
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Elise Williams, Jewel Spear and Hinds all connected on layups cutting into the Niner lead (23-19) the run forced a Charlotte timeout with five minutes left in the half.
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Niyah Becker connected on the Deacons first three pointer of the game with 1:31 left in the half, 29-22.
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At the half, Charlotte led 31-24.
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Elise Williams led Wake Forest with six points at the break.
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Olivia Summiel was tied for a game-high five rebounds in the first half.
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The Wake Forest bench outscored the 49er bench 7-4 in the first two quarters.
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Elise Williams scored a bucket and connected on a free-throw to jump-start the Deacon offense in the second half.
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Jewel Spear netted the first three-pointer of the second half and second of the game to bring the Charlotte lead to within four with 7:11 left in the third quarter.
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An Elise Williams layup and technical foul free throw for Wake Forest tied the game at 36 with 6:34 left in the third quarter.
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Wake Forest took their first lead of the game, 38-37, after Olivia Summiel netted a layup just after the midway point of the third quarter.
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A 6-2 Wake Forest run to end the third quarter gave the Deacons their largest lead of the game.
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Olivia Summiel and Alexandria Scruggs took advantage of second chance opportunities to keep the Deacons on top late in the third quarter.
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Olivia Summiel, once again, found the basket as she netted a jumper with just over thirty seconds left in the quarter.
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The Deacons led the 49ers 47-41 at the end of the third quarter.
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Wake Forest began the final quarter on a 6-0 run to extend their lead to double digits.
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An Olivia Summiel offensive rebound and put-back extended the Deacon lead to twelve to make it 53-41.
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Charlotte netted their second three pointer of the fourth quarter to shorten the Deacon lead to six with just over two minutes left in the game.
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Jewel Spear connected on two free throws with under ten seconds left to secure the 55-49 victory over Charlotte.
STANDOUT STAT
Olivia Summiel dominated the glass to help Wake Forest to a big advantage on the glass. The junior pulled down a career-best 14 rebounds in the victory.
Wake Forest had a +13 rebounding advantage in the final two quarters of play with nine of Summiel's rebounds coming in the final 20 minutes of action.
FROM HOOVER
"I was impressed with this team's ability to overcome an early deficit and the heart we showed to work our way back. Credit to our defense effort and our ability to to clean up the glass. Both of those areas were crucial in getting this one. So far this season, our team has shown an ability to win in different ways and that is the mark of good teams. I am proud of this group as we continue to improve and grow as a team." - Head Coach Jen Hoover
NEXT UP
Wake Forest returns to the hardwood on Sunday, Nov. 21 at 6:00 p.m. at LJVM against Eastern Carolina.
Grab your spot for the last home game of November at LJVM at GoDeacs.com/Tickets. Fans in attendance can enter to win a free Deactown prize pack each quarter.
For those not in attendance on Sunday night, the game will also air on ACC Network.
