Wake Forest University
11-9,8-8ACC
NC State
14-2,9-2ACC
Wake Forest Falls at Home to Fourth-Ranked NC State
2/18/2021 9:44:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Senior forward Ivana Raca led the Deacs in scoring for the ninth time this season, netting 18 points in the loss.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Despite a strong night from senior forward Ivana Raca, the Wake Forest women's basketball team fell to No. 4 NC State, 66-47, on Thursday night at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
The Belgrade, Serbia native continued to cement her legacy as one of the best in Demon Deacons (11-9, 8-8 ACC) in program history. Raca ended the night with 18 points, including a perfect 5-for-5 performance at the free throw line, to lead all Wake Forest scorers.
In the fourth quarter, Wake Forest cut into the lead, limiting the Wolfpack (14-2, 9-2 ACC) to just six points on 25 percent shooting in the final frame. It was the lowest scoring quarter for NC State this season and just the second time this season the Wolfpack scored single digits in a quarter.
It was a career night from the field for sophomore forward Olivia Summiel who added a career-high nine points on 4-of-5 shooting to go along with six boards.
Junior forward Christiana Morra led Wake Forest with seven rebounds, adding in six points of her own to the Deacs' effort.
Making her collegiate debut on Thursday night, freshman guard Elise Williams scored her first career point on a free-throw in the fourth quarter. She signed with the Deacs in November and joined the squad in late December after graduating from high school early.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- NC State opened the contest scoring on three of the first four possessions but a three-pointer from senior guard Gina Conti gave the Deacs some momentum to round out the first five minutes with the Wolfpack leading, 10-9.
- Out of the media timeout, NC State continued to score efficiently forcing a Wake Forest timeout with 1:36 remaining in the first quarter.
- Despite NC State's efforts on defense, the Demon Deacons gained some life to end the first period as it was 18-15 in favor of the Wolfpack after one.
- Sophomore forward Olivia Summiel and sophomore guard Alexandria Scruggs' pair of layups allowed the Deacs to cut the deficit to just three after 10 minutes of play.
- Senior forward Ivana Raca hit a three pointer to begin the second quarter to tie the game at 18-18. NC State quickly responded with a three of their own on the next possession.
- Over the next few minutes, the teams traded baskets on both ends of the floor with a late Wolfpack run giving NC State a 30-24 lead with 3:30 to go in the first half.
- NC State closed out the first half on a 15-2 run to take a 39-26 lead into the locker room.
- Ivana Raca led the charge for the Deacs with 11 points and four rebounds.
- Wake Forest turned the ball over just three times in the first half.
- The second half started no different than the first, with NC State scoring on four of its first five possessions to stretch their lead to 22 points, forcing a Wake Forest timeout with 5:56 left in the third quarter.
- Despite Wake Forest's offensive struggles throughout the third period, Summiel had a nice stretch for the Demon Deacons, pushing her scoring total to a career-best nine points on 4-of-5 shooting heading into the final quarter of the game.
- Wake Forest locked down defensively in the fourth, allowing just six points before falling to NC State, 66-47.
- Ivana Raca finished with a team-high 18 points and six rebounds.
- Freshman early-enrollee Elise Williams recorded her first career point on a free-throw in the fourth quarter. She made her collegiate debut on Thursday after joining the Deacs in December.
STANDOUT STAT
Ivana Raca continued her stellar senior campaign, leading all Demon Deacon scorers with 18 points. It was her 18th game scoring in double digits this season. Additionally, it was the ninth time this season the senior led Wake Forest in scoring.
She now has 1,394 points in her career, which ranks ninth. Raca is 95 points away from passing former teammate Amber Campbell (1,489 points; 2014-18) for eighth on the all-time points list.
FROM HOOVER
"In the second quarter, we got a lot of good shots that we typically hit, or at least we would hit 50 percent of, and we did not even hit 10 percent of them. As that happens against a team that is as potent and efficient offensively as NC State is, you start to dig yourself a hole and you start to shake your head a little bit. That is when you have to dive in and try to find ways to get stops and get some easy baskets. We did not do a very good job of that. We did not do a good enough job of attacking and getting to the free throw line where we could earn some free shots. Obviously, I am very disappointed in the outcome. They are really good, we knew that already. I do not think we gave them our best game either." - Head Coach Jen Hoover
NEXT UP
After a week off the court, the Deacs are back on the road on Thursday, Feb. 25, traveling to Florida for the second matchup of the season with Miami.
The game will tip off at 6 p.m. ET on ACC Network Extra.
