WOMEN’S BASKETBALL DELIVERS STRONG SECOND HALF AT WAKE FOREST

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WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Wake Forest won its second game in a row Friday night by downing Radford, 92-65, in nonconference women's basketball action inside Joel Coliseum.

The Demon Deacons improve to 3-2 on the season, while Radford suffers its third consecutive loss in dropping to 2-3. Despite the 27-point spread, the Highlanders played their opponent even (38-38) in the final 20 minutes of action.

Radford struggled with full court pressure in the opening frame, turning the ball over 20 times. Wake Forest took advantage as the hosts converted the Highlanders' miscues into 21 points. RU shot an impressive 54.9 percent (11-19) from the hardwood in the first half, but its turnovers allowed the Demon Deacons to establish a 54-27 advantage at the break.

Wake Forest tallied the first nine points of the second stanza to obtain its largest lead of the game at 63-27. Ayana Avery's triple at the 16:03 mark initiated a 16-3 run for the Highlanders to close the gap to 66-43. Radford got no closer than 23 the rest of the contest.

Preseason All-ACC pick Chelsea Douglas chalked up 22 points, including five 3-pointers, to lead all scorers. Making her debut for Wake Forest, Kelila Atkinson poured in 20 points off the bench. She was 6-of-10 from the floor and connected on all six of her trips to the charity stripe. Dearica Hamby added 17 points and five rebounds for the hosts.

Jordynn Gaymon led four Highlanders in double-figure scoring by tying her career high of 16 points. Avery chipped in 11 points and a team-best eight rebounds, while Rachael Ross added 11 points and a season-high three rejections. Aisha Foy tallied 10 points, three assists and two steals.

Radford finished the game shooting 49 percent (24-49), but its 29 turnovers proved costly. In addition, the Demon Deacons outrebounded RU, 46-28, which provided a 19-4 edge in second-chance points.

On deck for the Highlanders is a trip to Clemson for the second year in a row. Radford and the Tigers are set to clash at 7 p.m. next Wednesday inside Littlejohn Coliseum.

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