Deacs Drop Road Contest at Syracuse

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Despite an all-around performance from senior forward Olivia Summiel, the Wake Forest women's basketball team dropped a 67-58 contest at Syracuse Sunday at the JMA Wireless Dome.

The Demon Deacons (8-4, 0-2 ACC) were led by a strong effort in nearly every statistical category from Summiel, finishing the afternoon with a game-high 11 rebounds and a game-high six assists in the defeat to the Orange (9-2, 1-0 ACC). The Dayville, Conn. native added six points to the score column while increasing her block total to 20 on the season.

Her 20 blocks on the season mark the most by a Demon Deacon since the 2019-20 season and the total is one away from being the most since 2018-19.

Offensively, the Deacs were led by her fellow frontcourt mate in junior forward Demeara Hinds who ended the game with 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting. She got the Deacs off to a strong start as 11 of her points came in the first half. Hinds also had a team-best three blocks to go along with six rebounds.

Senior Kaia Harrison was the second Demon Deacon in double figures as she completed the afternoon with 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting.

Wake Forest led for much of the game before a closing run of 12-2 for the Orange over the final 1:55 of the game shifted the game in their favor.

An exciting season awaits at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum as the Wake Forest women's basketball team! There is no better time than now to become a season ticket holder and support your Demon Deacons at home this season.

Along with your purchase of a $50 season ticket package this season there are many added benefits exclusive only to those who buy season tickets.

HOW IT HAPPENED

After winning the jump ball, Wake Forest opened up the scoring 27 seconds into the contest as Elise Williams knocked down a three-pointer.
Syracuse made a three of its own but the Demon Deacons immediately responded with a 5-0 run.
- Demeara Hinds made consecutive layups and a free throw to give the Deacs an 8-3 lead.
The Orange then scored four unanswered before an Alexandria Scruggs layup extended the Demon Deacons' lead to three (10-7) at the under five media timeout.
Syracuse made a free throw to narrow its deficit to two but Wake Forest went on a 6-2 run over the following 56 seconds.
After forcing a Demon Deacon turnover, Dyashia Fair of Syracuse scored five-consecutive points.
Wake Forest held a 18-15 lead after the first 10 minutes of play.
- Hinds led the Deacs with 11 points in the first quarter, shooting 5-for-5.
  - Hinds' 11 points in the opening frame marked her career-high for points in a quarter.
As a team, the Demon Deacons shot 57.1 percent from the field during the first quarter.
The Orange came out aggressive and made it a one point game early in the second but a layup by Alyssa Andrews and a Scruggs three forced a Syracuse timeout at the 6:31 mark of the second quarter.
Syracuse went on a 6-2 run to make it a two point game, but Wake Forest refused to relinquish the lead as Kaia Harrison scored her first points of the game.
The Orange then went on a 5-0 run to take their first lead of the contest at the 1:18 mark; however, Jewel Spear drained a trey with two seconds remaining to give the Deacs a 32-30 lead at the halftime break.
- Wake Forest shot a stellar 50 percent from the field in the first half, while holding the Orange to 37.9 percent shooting.
  - Additionally, the Deacs recorded 12 assists on 14 made baskets during the first 20 minutes of action.
Hinds logged a game-high 13 points in the first half, shooting 6-of-8.
- Olivia Summiel also had a stellar first half as she registered 10 rebounds and five assists from the forward position.
Wake Forest opened the second half on a 7-1 run behind layups from Summiel and Williams, along with a three from Spear.
Syracuse was unable to make it a one-possession game over the ensuing three minutes as the Demon Deacons held a five point lead at the under five media timeout.
- Coming out of the break in action, both teams traded consecutive second-chance layups.
Syracuse finished the third quarter in impressive fashion and narrowed its deficit to one entering the fourth quarter.
Wake Forest held a 44-43 lead after 30 minutes of action.
- Defensively, the Demon Deacons held the Orange to 31.3 percent shooting from the field in the third quarter.
Syracuse once again took the lead (45-44) early in the fourth as Asia Strong knocked down a jumper.
Neither side was able to pull away over the ensuing three minutes as Wake Forest held a 51-49 lead at the 6:30 mark of the fourth quarter.
Coming down the stretch, Wake Forest owned a one-point lead with three minutes remaining.
The Orange regained the lead at the 2:30 mark but Wake Forest immediately responded as Spear drained a three 22 seconds later.
- A pair of Syracuse free throws gave the Orange a one-point advantage with 1:55 remaining in the contest.
After forcing a Wake Forest turnover, Fair of Syracuse was fouled which resulted in two free throws.
- She drained both attempts, forcing a Wake Forest timeout.
The Orange then went on a 6-0 run to take a 65-56 lead with 28 seconds remaining.
Syracuse held on to secure the 67-58 victory.

STANDOUT STAT

Senior forward Olivia Summiel displayed her versatility Sunday as the Dayville, Conn. native recorded six points, 11 rebounds and six assists.
- Summiel tallied 10 boards and five assists in the first half, pacing the Deacs in both categories.
  - Of note, this season, Summiel leads the Demon Deacons in total rebounds (88), while ranking third in assists with 27.

FROM GEBBIA
"I am proud of this teams' effort and they fought to the very end today. Liv and Demeara were really huge for us today, Liv on the glass and really running our offense well and Demeara for really setting the tone for us offensively. We attacked the basket well but just couldn't get the shots to fall there at the end. We needed to close the game better on the glass too and that is something we'll work on before getting back on the court Thursday." head coach Megan Gebbia

NEXT UP
The Demon Deacons return home for the final game of the non-conference schedule, playing host to Rhode Island on Thursday.

For those who cannot attend, the 1 p.m. tipoff can be seen on ACC Network Extra.

Claim Your Spot for the 2022-23 Season
The best way to see your Demon Deacons' women's basketball team this season is by purchasing season tickets for just $50.

Along with your purchase of a $50 season ticket package this season there are many added benefits exclusive only to those who buy season tickets. Admission to all 16 home games for this price Additional perks include:

A lunch opportunity with the Wake Forest women's basketball team
Only season ticket holders can sit in floor level seats
Access to Blue Ridge Room for free light refreshments and snacks before and during each home game
"Season Ticket Holder of the Game"
- A season ticket holder will be recognized at each game
  - They will be brought onto the floor during a quarter break or timeout to be recognized
  - They will be presented with a signed picture of the team
  - They will also have videoboard graphics made for them as well.

The quickest and most efficient way to order season tickets is to visit GoDeacs.com/Tickets and purchase online or call the Wake Forest Ticket Office at 336-758-3322 ext. 1. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Players Mentioned

Alyssa Andrews

Kaia Harrison

Demeara Hinds

Alexandria Scruggs

Jewel Spear

Olivia Summiel

Elise Williams