Deacs Cruise to Victory in WNIT Opener
Amber Campbell and Ariel Stephenson scored 20 points each as Wake Forest opened its WNIT run with a 71-42 victory over Bethune-Cookman
Link to Online Release: http://deacs.info/2mOxQsN
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Wake Forest began its postseason run in emphatic fashion Thursday evening, as the Demon Deacons never trailed in a 71-42 victory over Bethune-Cookman in the opening round of the WNIT.
Wake Forest (16-15), making its second consecutive appearance in the postseason, improved to 5-5 in WNIT play all-time. The Demon Deacons’ victory over Bethune-Cookman (21-11) gave the Deacs a postseason victory in three-straight appearances dating back to the 2012 WNIT.
The Demon Deacons were led by Ariel Stephenson and Amber Campbell, who scored 20 points apiece to lead the Deacs. Stephenson fell four points shy of her career-high of 24, which she set against Miami back on Feb. 2, while Campbell was two points away from tying a season-high of 22. It was just the second time this season that two Wake Forest players score 20 or more points in a game as Stephenson and Campbell scored 22 and 21 points, respectively, in a win over Illinois back on Nov. 30.
Wake Forest clamped down defensively, allowing Bethune-Cookman to shoot just 25.9 percent (14-of-54) from the field, the lowest shooting percentage allowed this season from Wake Forest.
The Deacs’ WNIT run stared out on the right note as Wake Forest built an early 21-11 lead after the opening quarter of play. Campbell’s free throw gave the Demon Deacons a 15-4 lead, its biggest advantage in the quarter, as she led all scorers with six points over the opening 10 minutes of play.
Bethune-Cookman held Wake Forest scoreless over the first 6:53 of the second quarter, allowing the Lady Wildcats to even the score at 21-all. Campbell’s pair of free throws with 3:07 remaining sparked an 8-0 run to jump back ahead, 29-21. Campbell’s free throws were followed by a bucket from the charity stripe by Elisa Penna, a triple by Stephenson and a jumper in the paint from Alex Sharp. The Lady ‘Cats hit a jumper in the closing seconds to give the Deacs a 29-23 halftime lead.
Wake Forest began to put the game out of reach in the third quarter, outscoring Bethune-Cookman 15-8 to take a 13-point advantage into the fourth quarter. The Deacs continued to apply the pressure to the Lady Wildcats over the course of the final 10 minutes of play, building the lead to as many as 32 in the fourth quarter. The 32-point advantage is the largest lead Wake Forest has held at any point in a game this season. In the end, the Deacs advanced to the second round of the WNIT for the second-straight season with a 29-point victory, 71-42.
As a team, Wake Forest assisted on 20 of its 26 made baskets, led by Stephenson’s five and Campbell’s four. Penna, Sharp and Kortni Simmons added three each in the winning effort.
Wake Forest awaits the winner of Middle Tennessee State and Morehead State in the second round of the WNIT. Opponent information, location, date and time will be determined at the conclusion of the game between the Blue Raiders and the Eagles, which was set to tip off late Thursday evening.
Amber Campbell and Ariel Stephenson scored 20 points each as Wake Forest opened its WNIT run with a 71-42 victory over Bethune-Cookman
Link to Online Release: http://deacs.info/2mOxQsN
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Wake Forest began its postseason run in emphatic fashion Thursday evening, as the Demon Deacons never trailed in a 71-42 victory over Bethune-Cookman in the opening round of the WNIT.
Wake Forest (16-15), making its second consecutive appearance in the postseason, improved to 5-5 in WNIT play all-time. The Demon Deacons’ victory over Bethune-Cookman (21-11) gave the Deacs a postseason victory in three-straight appearances dating back to the 2012 WNIT.
The Demon Deacons were led by Ariel Stephenson and Amber Campbell, who scored 20 points apiece to lead the Deacs. Stephenson fell four points shy of her career-high of 24, which she set against Miami back on Feb. 2, while Campbell was two points away from tying a season-high of 22. It was just the second time this season that two Wake Forest players score 20 or more points in a game as Stephenson and Campbell scored 22 and 21 points, respectively, in a win over Illinois back on Nov. 30.
Wake Forest clamped down defensively, allowing Bethune-Cookman to shoot just 25.9 percent (14-of-54) from the field, the lowest shooting percentage allowed this season from Wake Forest.
The Deacs’ WNIT run stared out on the right note as Wake Forest built an early 21-11 lead after the opening quarter of play. Campbell’s free throw gave the Demon Deacons a 15-4 lead, its biggest advantage in the quarter, as she led all scorers with six points over the opening 10 minutes of play.
Bethune-Cookman held Wake Forest scoreless over the first 6:53 of the second quarter, allowing the Lady Wildcats to even the score at 21-all. Campbell’s pair of free throws with 3:07 remaining sparked an 8-0 run to jump back ahead, 29-21. Campbell’s free throws were followed by a bucket from the charity stripe by Elisa Penna, a triple by Stephenson and a jumper in the paint from Alex Sharp. The Lady ‘Cats hit a jumper in the closing seconds to give the Deacs a 29-23 halftime lead.
Wake Forest began to put the game out of reach in the third quarter, outscoring Bethune-Cookman 15-8 to take a 13-point advantage into the fourth quarter. The Deacs continued to apply the pressure to the Lady Wildcats over the course of the final 10 minutes of play, building the lead to as many as 32 in the fourth quarter. The 32-point advantage is the largest lead Wake Forest has held at any point in a game this season. In the end, the Deacs advanced to the second round of the WNIT for the second-straight season with a 29-point victory, 71-42.
As a team, Wake Forest assisted on 20 of its 26 made baskets, led by Stephenson’s five and Campbell’s four. Penna, Sharp and Kortni Simmons added three each in the winning effort.
Wake Forest awaits the winner of Middle Tennessee State and Morehead State in the second round of the WNIT. Opponent information, location, date and time will be determined at the conclusion of the game between the Blue Raiders and the Eagles, which was set to tip off late Thursday evening.
