Sports > November 15, 2007

By Alex Botoman | Staff writer

The Wake Forest women’s basketball team started its season off on a positive note with a 58-51 win over USC-Upstate Nov. 13 at the Joel Coliseum. The game marked only the second time USC-Upstate played their second game in Division I after moving up from Division II at the beginning of the season.

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Junior Alex Tchangoue and sophomore Jessie Cain jump for a rebound against USC Upstate Nov. 13. Tchangoue totaled seven points and 11 total rebounds against the Spartans. (Mary Kate Wagner/Old Gold & Black)

Junior Corinne Groves led all scorers with 15 points. She also pulled down eight rebounds.

The sparse crowd of 513 saw the game start off close as teams traded baskets for the first five minutes.

The Deacs went on a 10-0 run midway through the first half to go up by a score of 18-7.

Both teams played a clean, aggressive game defensively and there were no fouls called until seven minutes into the game. At halftime, Wake Forest led 31-21.

The Deacons shot 34.3 percent (12 for 35) from the floor in the first half. The Spartans struggled, shooting only 28 percent (seven for 25).

In the second half, the Deacs continued their good form. However, USC-Upstate picked up its game and managed to cut the lead to five points midway through the second half.

The Deacons killed any chance of a comeback with a 13-0 run that brought the score to 52-34 with seven minutes to go in the game. Wake Forest maintained the momentum and coasted to a 58-51 win.

Overall, Wake Forest shot 33.7 percent (23 of 68) from the floor and 37.5 percent (nine for 24) from beyond the arc.

The Deacs out-rebounded the Spartans 48-36 and their tenacity showed on the scoreboard as they had 10 second-chance points, as opposed to only two for USC-Upstate. Wake Forest also capitalized on its opponent’s mistakes, scoring 26 points off of 26 turnovers.

Freshman guard Camille Collier showed that she can be an immediate contributor this season, scoring 11 points and grabbing five rebounds. Sophomore guard Tiffany Roulhac also had a strong game for the Deacs with nine points, five assists and three steals.

The Deacons play Charlotte in the Joel Coliseum Nov.15 and travel to James Madison Nov. 18 before heading to the Virgin Islands to take part in the Paradise Jam Nov. 22.

Wake Forest will begin ACC play Jan. 3 against Maryland.