February 19, 1999
Wake Forest at NC State
Saturday, February 20, 1999 * 2:00 pm
Reynolds Coliseum * Raleigh, NC
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - The Wake Forest women's basketball team concludes the
1998-99 regular season this Saturday, Feb. 20th, as the Demon Deacons
travel to NC State for a 2:00 pm contest. The Deacons currently stand
seventh in the ACC and are coming off a 66-38 loss to No. 14 Clemson on
Thursday night, while the Wolfpack is in fifth place in the conference and
is coming off a 75-67 loss at No. 8 Duke on Thursday. The game will be
televised in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area on WKFT-TV 40. The game
will not be broadcast on WXII Newsradio 830 AM in Winston-Salem nor on the
internet at www.wakeforestsports.com as originally planned, due to
scheduling difficulties.
Scouting Wake Forest (7-18, 3-12 ACC)
Clemson's Natasha Anderson scored 17 points and grabbed nine
rebounds as the 14th-ranked Tigers cruised to a 66-38 victory over Wake
Forest on Thursday night at Joel Coliseum. Clemson never trailed in the
game, building a 25-13 halftime lead and continually pulling away from the
Deacs in the second half. Boasting the ACC's top defense, the Tigers held
Wake to season-lows in points (38), field goals (13), field goal percentage
(23.2%), three-point field goals (1), and three-point field goal percentage
(7.1%), while also dominating the boards by a 52-42 margin. Joanie Mungro
added 12 points for CU, while Nikki Blassingame grabbed a game-high 10
rebounds. No Wake Forest player scored in double figures, but senior
forward Emon McMillian led the team with nine points, and sophomore forward
Brenda Mock Kirkpatrick had eight. Freshman forward Liz Rogers pulled down
a team-high six rebounds.
Through 25 games, sophomore forward Olivia Dardy leads the team in
both scoring (9.3 ppg) and rebounding (7.1 rpg), while McMillian ranks
second in both categories with 9.2 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. Wake
Forest is averaging 62.8 points per game on 38 percent shooting, and the
Deacs have outrebounded opponents by a +2.0 margin. WFU averages 5.6
three-pointers per game, hitting 32 percent of its treys. In ACC games,
the Deacs average just 58.8 points per outing on 36 percent shooting and
outrebound opponents by a slight +0.3 margin.
Scouting NC State (15-10, 8-7 ACC)
The Wolfpack stands in fifth place in the ACC after winning six of
its last eight games. NC State most recently dropped a 75-67 decision to
No. 8 Duke on Thursday, despite leading at halftime. Through 25 games,
State is led by junior center Summer Erb, who leads the ACC in both scoring
(20.6 ppg) and rebounding (9.2 rpg). Sophomore guard Tynesha Lewis ranks
among the top 10 in the conference in four different statistical
categories: scoring (3rd, 17.6 ppg), rebounding (8th, 6.8 rpg), assists
(6th, 3.3 apg), three-point percentage (5th, 32.6), and threes per game
(3rd, 1.7). As a team, the 'Pack averages 75 points per game on 47 percent
shooting, while outrebounding opponents by a +4.7 margin.
Series History
NC State holds a 39-6 advantage over Wake Forest in the all-time
series, which dates back to the 1972-73 season. The Wolfpack has won the
last five straight meetings, including an 85-60 decision in Winston-Salem
earlier this year. Wake's last win over the 'Pack came in the 1995-96
season, when the Deacs won 76-72 at home and 75-64 on the road.
Earlier This Year
Tynesha Lewis tallied 22 points and 10 rebounds to lift visiting NC
State over Wake Forest, 85-60, in Winston-Salem on Jan. 24th. State built
a 33-22 halfime lead as the Deacs hit just 22 percent of their first-period
shots. Wake used an 11-4 second-half run to get within eight points, but
State responded with a 14-2 run of its own to put the game out of reach.
State outrebounded Wake 51-40. Freshman center LaChina Robinson led Wake
Forest with 15 points.
Fountain of Youth
The Deacs feature an extremely youthful squad this season, with 10
of 14 players in only their freshman or sophomore years of eligibility.
The young squad is anchored by four veterans, however, including two
fifth-year players (Heidi Coleman, Emon McMillian), one true senior (Jenn
Miklic), and one junior (Alisha Mosley), all of whom are starters.
Free Throw Woes
Wake Forest has struggled from the free throw line this season,
with the Deacs hitting just 63.2 of their shots from the charity stripe.
In ACC games, Wake has hit just 59.9 percent of its foul shots, though the
Deacs did sink 18 of 19 vs. UNC on Jan. 2 - a school record of 94.7 percent.
In Search of Point Production
Last season, the Deacs consistently struggled to put points on the
board. No player finished the season in double figures, and the team
averaged just 57.4 points per game. This year, Wake showed improvement in
the scoring department early on, averaging 77 points in the first five
games. The team has topped 70 points just four times in its last 20 games,
however, and has scored less than 60 points 11 times. In the eight of the
last 10 games (excluding Maryland and FSU), the Deacs have struggled with
poor shooting, hitting just 31% from the floor (155-497), 18% from
three-point range (28-155), and 57% from the line (77-135). Against UM and
FSU, however, Wake shot a combined 46% from the floor (51-110), 50% from
three-point range (19-38), and 74% from the line (25-34).
Interior Improvements
The Deacs boast a stronger inside game and better rebounding this
season with the return of some key players and the addition of some new
faces. Three returning forwards - senior Emon McMillian (9.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg)
and sophomores Olivia Dardy (9.3 ppg, 7.1 rpg) and Brenda Mock Kirkpatrick
(7.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg) - have demonstrated much-improved inside games this
year, ranking as the team's top three rebounders and three of the top four
scorers. All three have posted double-doubles this year. In addition, 6-4
freshman centers LaChina Robinson (5.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg) and Elizabeth
Biedrycki (2.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg) have provided additional size and defensive
presence in the paint.
Double-Digit Deacons
Although no Deacons are averaging in double figures on the season,
12 of Wake's 13 active players have recorded double digits in either
points, rebounds, or assists during the year. A look at Wake's
double-digit performances:
Name Pts Rebs Ast D-D's
Elizabeth Biedrycki 1 0 0 0
Heidi Coleman 4 0 0 0
Olivia Dardy 10 6 0 5
Adell Harris 0 0 1 0
Brenda M. Kirkpatrick 6 2 0 1
Val Klopfer 3 0 0 0
Emon McMillian 11 2 0 2
Alisha Mosley 10 0 0 0
LaChina Robinson 4 0 0 0
Liz Rogers 1 0 0 0
Kristen Shaffer 1 0 0 0
Janae Whiteside 2 0 0 0
Guards Boast Improved Assist-to-Turnover Ratios
Another area of dramatic improvement this year is in the Deacon
guards' assist-to-turnover ratio. Last season, only one player registered
a positive ratio for the season (senior point guard Heidi Coleman was
57-to-55) and the backcourt as a whole stood at -1.13. This year's
backcourt unit checks in at +1.06 (210-to-199), led by junior guard Alisha
Mosley's +1.30 ratio (57-to-44). Coleman owns a +1.17 ratio (48-to-41),
while freshman point guard Val Klopfer holds a +1.23 ratio (27-to-22).
Sophomore Janae Whiteside (36-to-39, -1.08) and rookie Adell Harris
(42-to-53, -1.26) round out the unit.
Raining Threes
Wake Forest has utilized an arsenal of three-point shooters this
season to rank as one of the top long-distance teams in the ACC. After
averaging 6.3 threes per game in its first 16 outings, the Deacs hit a
four-game dry spell in which they sunk just 3.5 threes per game and hit
only 18 percent of their attempts (14-76). Wake has gotten back on track in
three of its last five games, draining eight treys vs. Ga. Tech and
Maryland and hitting a season-high 11-of-20 (55%) vs. FSU. Senior Heidi
Coleman remains Wake's top three-point threat, (36-101, 36%), although her
backup, Val Klopfer (23-60, 38%) has emerged as a long-distance danger as
well. Junior Alisha Mosley (26-86, 30%), sophomore Janae Whiteside (20-72,
28%), and freshman Adell Harris (6-23, 26%) have contributed some clutch
threes as well. Whiteside stepped up to hit five threes (on eight
attempts) in the Deacs' recent win over FSU - the most threes in a game by
a Deac this year. In addition to guards, however, sophomore forward Olivia
Dardy (23-75, 31%) has the ability to step out and hit a long-range three
as well.
Bench Scoring
Wake Forest boasts an extremely deep lineup, and head coach
Charlene Curtis has utilized her entire bench in nearly every game this
year. In fact, the Wake bench has contributed almost half of the team's
points on the season (758-of-1569, 48.3%) and has outscored the starters in
13 of 25 games. In the last 13 games, the bench has outscored the starters
nine times, contributing 52% of the team's points (364 of 697).
Rookies Stepping it Up
Charlene Curtis' first recruiting class began coming into its own
shortly after the new year, highlighted by the contributions of several
rookies in the team's win over Georgia Tech on Jan. 4th. Since then, all
five active freshman players have been key contributors to the team.
Center LaChina Robinson (5.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 0.8 bpg) has started all
25 contests and has been a solid addition to the Deacons' inside game with
her rebounding and shot-blocking ability. She has proven to be a scoring
threat as well, netting four double-figure outings on the year. She
tallied a career-best 22 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks vs.
Georgia Tech to earn ACC Rookie of the Week honors, and grabbed a
career-high nine boards vs. FSU. Elizabeth Biedrycki (2.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg)
backs up Robinson at center and has been a steady contributor off the
bench. She posted a career-best 12 points vs. Providence.
Point guard Val Klopfer (4.0 ppg) has seen her playing time
steadily increase, and she now nearly splits time at the point with starter
Heidi Coleman. She has proven to be a dangerous three-point shooter
(23-60, 38%) and has three double-figure outings, including a career-high
18 points vs. Georgia Tech on Jan. 4. Guard Adell Harris (1.9 ppg, 1.7
apg) has also seen increased court time and has shown great potential as a
playmaker. She put on a show-stopping performance in the final 10 minutes
of the Georgia Tech game on Jan. 4, dishing 10 assists and making three
steals to key the Deacs' come-from-behind win.
Swing player Liz Rogers (2.2 ppg, 1.5 rpg) has consistently
provided a spark off the bench with her hustle and determination. Although
averaging just under five minutes per game, Rogers is one of the most
productive Deacons in terms of points, rebounds, and steals per minute.
She netted her first double-figure outing vs. Duke on Feb 11th, tallying a
career-high 10 points in 11 minutes of play, and she grabbed a career-high
six rebounds vs. Clemson on Feb. 18th in just nine minutes.
The sixth member of the freshman class, 6-4 center LaTisha Pearson,
has not yet dressed for a game but continues to practice with the team to
further develop her skills. She will redshirt the 1998-99 season.
Coleman Climbs Three-Point Shooting Charts
Senior point guard Heidi Coleman already ranks as one of the top
three-point shooters in school history, and she is closing in on the Wake
Forest records for threes made and attempted in a career. Coleman owns a
35.3 career three-point shooting percentage and ranks second all-time at
WFU in three-pointers made (179) and attempted (507). Those numbers rank
her 11th and 10th (respectively) in the ACC record book.
Coleman also holds the school single-season records in both
categories, hitting 61-of-179 treys in 1996-97. Last year she nearly
matched those marks, hitting 57-of-166. Coleman ranks as Wake's eighth
all-time assist leader with 276, and is 16th in points with 901.
Dardy Leads Deacs in Scoring, Rebounding, Steals
Sophomore forward Olivia Dardy continues to lead the Deacons in
scoring (9.3 ppg), rebounding (7.1 rpg), and steals (1.2 spg) from the
bench. She ranks as the ACC's seventh-leading rebounder overall and is
also seventh with 7.3 boards per ACC game. A versatile player who can play
the three, four, or five position, Dardy can score both in the paint and
from three-point range. She has played primarily small forward this season
after playing mostly center as a rookie. She holds a 30.7 three-point
shooting percentage (23-75) and has notched five double-doubles on the
year. Earlier this year, Dardy earned All-Tournament honors at the
Fairfield-Warner's Classic, racking up 31 points and 21 rebounds in two
games. She earned ACC Co-Player of the Week honors on Dec. 13th for her
17-point, 15-rebound outing in the win over Maryland. Last season, Dardy
led the team in scoring and rebounding in ACC games (8.8 ppg, 6.7 rpg) and
was named to ACC Athlete's All-Freshman Team.
McMillian Anchors the Post
Senior forward Emon McMillian serves as one of the Deacs' primary
anchors this season, bringing veteran experience to a young frontcourt. A
fifth-year player, McMillian is in her second season as the Deacs' starting
power forward. She currently ranks second on the team in both scoring (9.2
ppg) and rebounding (5.5 rpg) and she has posted 11 double-figure scoring
outings, including seven of the last 12 games in which she hasn't been
injured (out at FSU with shoulder sprain; played just two minutes at Ga.
Tech due to ankle sprain). McMillian's best outing of the season came in
the Deacs' win over Providence, where she netted a career-high 23 points
and 12 rebounds. She recently netted her fifth career double-double in the
win over Florida State, collecting 15 points and 12 rebounds. She
currently ranks 17th on Wake's all-time rebounding list with 437 career
boards. McMillian's father, Jim, played in the NBA and was a member of the
Lakers' 1972 championship team.
Mosley An Offensive Key
Junior guard Alisha Mosley has been one of the Deacs' key
playmakers in the first 25 games, averaging 8.0 points and a team-high 2.3
assists per outing. Mosley has scored in double figures 10 times this year
(including a career-high 23 points vs. VCU) and has led the team in scoring
four times. She has led the team in assists in eight games, dishing a
career-high six set-ups vs. both FDU and UNC. Mosley also ranks among the
team's top three-point shooters (26-86, 30%) and owns a team-high +1.30
assist-to-turnover ratio (57-to-44). She was named to the
California-Oakland Tribune Classic All-Tournament Team after totalling 31
points and seven assists in two games. An ACC All-Freshman pick in
1996-97, Mosley averaged 7.6 points and 2.1 assists per game last year.
Miklic a Defensive Stopper
Senior forward Jenn Miklic continues to serve as the Deacons' top
defensive stopper this season, often receiving the assignment of covering
an opponent's top scoring threat. An aggressive defender and a strong
athlete, Miklic has started the past 23 games at small forward and averages
just over 11 minutes per game. Her best offensive game of the year came
vs. Pittsburgh in the California-Oakland Tribune Classic, where she netted
eight points and five rebounds. In the loss to NC State on Jan. 24th,
Miklic dished a career-high six assists in just 18 minutes.
Kirkpatrick a Key Contributor
Sophomore forward Brenda Mock Kirkpatrick continues to provide a
spark for the Deacons off the bench with her strong play and tremendous
hustle. Kirkpatrick averages just over 17 minutes per game but ranks as
the team's fourth-leading scorer (7.1 ppg) and third-leading rebounder (4.3
rpg). She has tallied six double-figure scoring outings on the year and
grabbed double-figure rebounds twice, netting her first career
double-double vs. West Virginia (13 pts, career-high 13 rebs). She netted
a career-best 15 points in back-to-back games at the Fairfield Warner's
Classic (vs. FDU and ECU) earlier this year.
Whiteside White Hot vs. FSU
Sophomore guard Janae Whiteside was white-hot from three-point
range in a recent three game-stretch (vs. Maryland, Duke, and FSU), hitting
9-of-16 treys (56%). She tallied a team- and (then) career-high 13 points
vs. Maryland on Feb 6th, hitting 5-of-6 from the floor and 3-of-4 from
three-point range. That performance earned her a starting job in the next
three games, and she responded with a career game vs. Florida State on Feb.
15th. She exploded for a career-high 16 points, hitting 5-of-8 threes -
the most treys by a Deacon in a game this year - and also made a
career-high four steals. Whiteside plays both point and shooting guard and
averages 13.3 minutes per game, contributing 3.9 points and 1.4 assists per
contest. She dished a career-high five assists vs. both West Virginia and
Maryland earlier this year.
Shaffer Steps Up Too
Sophomore forward Kristen Shaffer has also stepped up her offensive
contributions of late. She notched her first double-figure outing of the
season vs. Maryland on Feb 6th, netting 10 points on 5-of-8 shooting, and
contributed seven points on 3-of-6 shooting vs. FSU last Monday. A
versatile swing player who excels in the open court game, Shaffer averages
just over nine minutes per game on the year, contributing 2.7 points per
outing.
ACC Leaders
Through games of Feb. 18th, sophomore forward Olivia Dardy ranked
seventh in the ACC in rebounding (7.1 rpg) while freshman center LaChina
Robinson was eighth in blocks (0.8 bpg). In ACC games only, Dardy ranked
fifth in rebounding (7.3 rpg), while Robinson was fifth in blocks (0.9 bpg).
ACC Team Rankings
Through games of Feb. 18th, Wake Forest ranked second in the ACC in
three-pointers per game (5.6) and third in three-point percentage (.315).
Other team rankings: 8th in scoring (62.8 ppg), 8th in scoring defense
(71.9 ppg), 8th in scoring margin (-9.2), 9th in field goal percentage
(.377), 8th in field goal percentage defense (.433), 9th in free throw
percentage (.632), 8th in blocks (2.2 bpg), 9th in steals (7.0 spg), 8th in
turnover margin (-3.8), and 6th in rebound margin (+2.0).
Senior Leadership
Despite having a largely youthful team, the Demon Deacons have
relied heavily on the senior trio of Heidi Coleman, Emon McMillian, and
Jenn Miklic for leadership this year. All three players have started
nearly every game this season and boast a combined 200 career starts
between them. The senior classs has contributed 26 percent of the Deacons'
scoring total (410 of 1569 points) and 23 percent of the team's rebounds
(237 of 1021) in the 1998-99 season.
Dardy, Robinson Earn ACC Honors
Sophomore forward Olivia Dardy and freshman center LaChina Robinson
have both earned weekly honors from the ACC this season. Dardy was named
the ACC's Co-Player of the Week on Dec. 14 after posting 17 points and 15
rebounds to lift WFU to a win over Maryland, snapping a 17-game ACC losing
streak for the Deacs. Robinson was selected as the ACC's Rookie of the
Week on Jan. 11th after collecting 22 points, eight rebounds, three blocks,
and two steals - all career highs - to help Wake to a win over Georgia Tech.
Honors and Accolades
Olivia Dardy (So, F) - Fairfield-Warner's Classic All-Tournament
Team, 11/28; ACC Co-Player of the Week, 12/14. Alisha Mosley (Jr, G) -
California-Oakland Tribune Classic All-Tournament Team, 12/21. LaChina
Robinson (Fr, C) - ACC Rookie of the Week, 1/11.
School Records
The Deacs attempted a school-record 27 three-pointers vs. Georgia
Tech on Feb. 3rd...the seven turnovers Wake committed vs. UMBC on Dec. 29th
tied the school record for fewest TOs in a game (set in 1982)...Wake hit a
school-record 94.7 percent of its foul shots (18-19) vs. North Carolina on
Jan. 2nd ....the Deacs drew a school-record 3,214 fans to the Duke game on
Jan. 11th.
Tip-Ins
Wake Forest has outrebounded 16 of its first 25 opponents...the
Deacs have hit 10 or more three-pointers on four occasions this year (vs.
FDU, UVa, UMBC, and FSU)...the season-opening win over VCU snapped a
16-game losing streak, the longest in school history...the Dec. 13th win
over Maryland broke a 17-game drought vs. ACC foes...Adell Harris'
10-assist performance vs. Georgia Tech marked the first double-figure
assist game for a Deacon since Gretchen Hollifield dished 11 vs. Maryland
on Jan. 31, 1996...Wake's 38 points vs. Clemson on both Jan. 17th and Feb.
18th were the fewest points scored by a Deacon team since a 78-35 loss to
Virginia on Jan. 2, 1980...Wake Forest is 5-1 when leading at halftime and
6-1 when leding with 10:00 remaining...the Deacs have shot 50% or better
from the floor this year only once (51% vs. Maryland on Feb. 6th)...four
opponents have shot 50% or better vs. Wake (Colorado St., Ga. Tech,
Maryland, and Duke)... Wake Forest nearly doubled its home attendance since
last season. The Deacs averaged 898 fans per game in 11 home dates, up
from 486 per contest last year - an increase of nearly 85 percent.
PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP
Pos. No. Name Ht. Yr. GP/GS PPG RPG Other
F 5 Emon McMillian 6-1 Sr. 24/24 9.2 5.5 1.2 apg
F 12 Jenn Miklic 6-0 Sr. 24/23 1.5 1.5 1.0 apg
C 34 LaChina Robinson 6-4 Fr. 25/25 5.8 4.3 0.8 bpg
G 21 Janae Whiteside 5-7 So. 25/4 3.9 1.2 1.4 apg
G 22 Heidi Coleman 5-6 Sr. 25/25 6.1 2.8 1.9 apg
Reserves
F 32 Olivia Dardy 6-1 So. 25/2 9.3 7.1 1.2 spg
G 11 Alisha Mosley 5-6 Jr. 25/21 8.0 2.4 2.3 apg
F 50 Brenda Mock Kirkpatrick 6-0 So. 25/1 7.1 4.3 1.0 apg
G 10 Val Klopfer 5-6 Fr. 23/0 4.0 0.8 1.2 apg
G/F 20 Kristen Shaffer 5-10 So. 25/0 2.7 1.4 0.4 spg
C 33 Elizabeth Biedrycki 6-4 Fr. 24/0 2.3 2.3 0.3 bpg
G/F 45 Liz Rogers 5-10 Fr. 21/0 2.2 1.5 0.4 spg
G 23 Adell Harris 5-8 Fr. 25/0 1.9 1.0 1.7 apg
STATISTICAL COMPARISON
Wake Forest Statistic NC State
62.8 Scoring Offense 75.0
71.9 Scoring Defense 65.0
-9.1 Scoring Margin +10.0
37.7 Field Goal Percentage 46.7
43.3 Field Goal Pct Defense 39.9
31.5 3-Pt FG Percentage 30.8
5.6 3-Pt FG Per Game 3.6
63.2 Free Throw Percentage 67.6
15.0 Assists 16.9
19.6 Turnovers 17.6
2.2 Blocks 2.0
7.0 Steals 8.0
-3.8 Turnover Margin +1.2
40.8 Rebounds 40.4
+2.0 Rebound Margin +4.7
