Feb. 1, 2007

Final Stats

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Mekia Valentine tied the Wake Forest freshman record for single-season blocks, but NC State rolled past the Demon Deacons 79-53 Thursday evening at Joel Coliseum.

Wake drops to 9-13 overall and 0-8 in the ACC with the loss. State improves to 16-7 overall, 5-3 in conference play.

Valentine tallied five blocks in the game to give her 43 on the season. The mark ties Lisa Dodd's 20-year-old freshman record and is the second-highest total in program history.

Valentine had quite a night in addition to her blocked shots. The freshman from Greensboro posted her second double-double of the season with a career-high 16 points and 12 rebounds.

Sophomore Yolanda Lavender led Wake Forest with 19 points. Classmate Alex Tchangoue also finished in double figures with 12 markers.

Tchangoue led the team with three assists and four steals.

NC State got out of the gate quickly, scoring the first 13 points of the game. Wake Forest did not get on the board until the 15:40 mark when Valentine grabbed an offensive board and converted a three-point play.

Valentine's put-back and ensuing free throw sparked a 12-1 run that pulled the Deacons to within 14-12.

With the Wolfpack holding a 22-17 lead at the 8:53 mark, State rattled off a 20-4 run over the next five minutes to double-up Wake, 42-21. NCSU eventually took a 49-26 lead into halftime.

The two teams combined for 28 turnovers in the first half, with Wake Forest leading the way with 15. NC State made the Deacs' miscues count, scoring 16 points off turnovers. The Wolfpack also shot a torrid 54.8 percent (17-of-31) in the first stanza. Wake, on the other hand, shot just 33.3 percent (10-of-30) and scored four points off State turnovers.

In the second period, NC State used an 11-0 run early in the period to take its largest lead of the game, 62-30. Wake would not get closer than 24 the rest of the way.

The Wolfpack out-rebounded the Demon Deacons 52-31, Wake Forest's largest rebounding deficit this season.

The two teams tied in turnovers, 22-22. NC State out-scored Wake 22-9 in points off turnovers.

Ashley Key led the Wolfpack with 20 points, while Amber White came off the bench to tally 14. Marquetta Dickens joined the duo in double figures with 13 markers. Khadijah Whittington, the ACC's top rebounder, pulled down a game-high 14 boards.

Wake shot 33.3 percent (20-of-60) for the game, including a 4-for-14 mark from three-point range. State shot 42.2 percent (27-of-64) from the floor and was 6-for-15 from beyond the arc.

Wake Forest is off for a week before traveling to Miami on Feb. 8. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the BankUnited Center.