Comeback Effort Falls Short at Boston College

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. -- Despite a come-from-behind effort, the Wake Forest women's basketball team dropped Sunday's contest at Boston College, 82-70.

Despite the loss, the Demon Deacons (13-14, 3-13 ACC) still own a winning record over the Eagles (17-10, 8-8 ACC) in Boston, holding a 6-4 advantage over the Eagles at Conte Forum.

The Deacs showed an improved, all-around offensive game in the second half, shooting over 48 percent from the field. In the third quarter, Wake Forest trimmed 14 points off the deficit, making it an eight-point game heading into the fourth.

During the comeback effort in the third, the Demon Deacons got 11 points from freshman guard Elise Williams, who was one of four Demon Deacons finishing in double figures.

This marked the fifth consecutive game Wake Forest has had four or more double-figure scorers. This was also the third game in that stretch that the Deacs have scored 70 or more points in a game.

Williams and junior guard Kaia Harrison both finished the game with a team-best 15 points while sophomore guard Jewel Spear ended the night with 11 points and senior forward Christina Morra added 10 points with eight coming in the first half, pacing the Demon Deacons in the first 20 minutes.

46 of the Deacs' points came from the paint, accounting for 65.7 percent of their points in the game.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Capitalizing off of an opening turnover by the Eagles, senior forward Christina Morra drove in the first two points for Wake Forest. On the next possession, junior forward Niyah Becker cleaned up an offensive putback.
Boston College made three of its first four shots from the outside, taking a 9-4 lead in three minutes of play.
- Wake Forest subsequently called for a timeout.
Fouls on both sides took place for the next pair of minutes before Boston College increased its lead to 15-4.
Freshman forward Malaya Cowles checked in to put the Deacs back on the scoreboard, finishing a layup.
The Eagles continued their success from three-point distance, going 4-for-7 in eight minutes.
Taking another timeout with 1:01 left to go in the first quarter, Wake Forest trailed 22-6.
Morra answered with another strong move inside and freshman guard Raegyn Conley rang in a triple to add into the scoring column as the opening period concluded, with Boston College ahead, 22-11.
- Morra's four points paced Wake Forest in the quarter.
Junior guard Alexandria Scruggs made a nice sweep down the lane line for a power finish, totaling her first points of the game at 7:26 in the second frame.
Boston College went through a short offensive slump during the quarter, only making one of seven attempts.
- Junior guard Kaia Harrison stayed aggressive in her control with the ball, drawing a foul for two made free throws.
Efficient three-point shooting from Boston College persisted, bumping up its lead to 36-15.
- Freshman guard Elise Williams came right back at the Eagles' defense on the Deacons' ensuing possession for a driving lay-in.
As a media timeout was issued in the second, Boston College led 38-17 after making four consecutive shots.
- Harrison and Williams then combined to give Wake Forest six quick points.
Post moves by Morra helped her Deacs try to cut into the lead, as a few points were traded, but another big run by the Eagles ultimately wrapped the first half in their favor, 49-29.
- Harrison posted six points, three rebounds, and three assists while playing all but two minutes in the first half.
- Morra led Wake Forest in scoring with eight points in two quarters.
- Boston College made all eight of its final field goal tries before halftime.
Getting to the rim on a baseline take, Williams knocked in two free throws to open up Wake Forest's second-half scoring.
Morra scored her tenth point on a shot from around the free-throw line at 7:57 in the third quarter.
Williams' versatility especially fueled Wake Forest's offense, as she again made a nice finish around the basket before sinking in a corner three for 11 points at the time.
Sophomore guard Jewel Spear converted a layup to further cut into Boston College's lead.
- The Deacs trailed 56-40 after five minutes in the third, completing 4-of-5 shot attempts leading into the media timeout.
Wake Forest's impressive play continued throughout the period, as sophomore forward Demeara Hinds went for a second-chance putback. A smooth, wrap-around jumper by Spear further edged into the deficit, 60-49.
Hinds again fought her way on the offensive glass before Spear netted a traditional three-point play to have the Deacs trailing by eight points.
Heading into the fourth, Boston College stayed in front by a more narrow margin, 64-56.
- Wake Forest shot an eye-popping 64.7 percent from the field in the period, paced by Williams' 11 points.
- Spear added nine points during the quarter, going 4-for-4 in attempts.
- Almost all of the Deacs' third-quarter happened inside the arc.
- Boston College was outrebounded in the period, 11-7.
After the Eagles scored four in a row in the fourth's opening moments, Harrison notched her ninth point on a pump-fake finish.
Physical play took over, displayed by back-and-forth fouls, for several minutes.
A stepback shot by Boston College made it a 72-58 advantage for the group.
Harrison became the third Deac to reach scoring double-figures out of a media timeout, pulling up for a short jumper.
- Joining her was Spear a minute later, mirroring the same type of shot for 11 points at the time.
  - She has been in double figures in all but one game this season and 15 consecutive games after today.
Both teams piled in a final batch of points as the clock ticked down.
Despite a comeback effort, Wake Forest fell 82-70.

STANDOUT STAT

For the fifth consecutive game, Wake Forest had four or more players finish in double figures scoring. Additionally, the five-game stretch is the only time this conference season that Wake Forest has had four or more double-figure scorers in a single game.

Kaia Harrison - 15 points
Elise Williams - 15 points
Jewel Spear - 11 points
Christina Morra - 10 points

The quartet accounted for 51 of the Deacons' 70 team points.

Coming off a 14-point performance against nationally-ranked NC State on Thursday (Feb. 17), Elise Williams again demonstrated fearless offense versus the Eagles. The freshman is averaging 12.3 points per game over her last four outings, which is three points better than her season average.

FROM HOOVER

"I am really disappointed in the way we started the game today, but proud of our grit and determination to fight back in that third quarter. If we would have started the game with the same energy and intensity, there might have been a different outcome. Boston College is one of the most experienced and senior laden teams in our league and maybe the country so, give them credit for the way they played on their senior day." - Head Coach Jen Hoover

NEXT UP

Wake Forest returns home Thursday when the Deacs play host to Syracuse for a 7 p.m. tipoff at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

The game will also air on ACC Network Extra.

Players Mentioned

Niyah Becker

Raegyn Conley

Malaya Cowles

Kaia Harrison

Demeara Hinds

Christina Morra

Alexandria Scruggs

Jewel Spear

Elise Williams