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WINSTON-SALEM, NC--Dearica Hamby scored a career-high 31 points and recorded her sixth straight double-double as the Wake Forest Demon Deacons defeated the University of South Alabama Jaguars 92-66 Friday night at Joel Coliseum. Hamby scored 8 of the Deacs' first 12 points as Wake Forest raced out to an early 12-0 lead over the visitors from Alabama. The Jaguars stiffened, however, and made an 11-0 run of their own to take a brief 1-point lead midway through the first half.
After some fierce back and forth between the two teams, Wake Forest (7-4) regained control of the contest right before halftime, taking a 45-35 lead into the locker room. The Deacons stretched the lead in the second half, thanks to a return to form by senior guard Chelsea Douglas (20 points, 5 assists) and a strong effort in the post by senior Lindsy Wright (6 points, 9 rebounds).
The Jaguars (2-8) were led by seniors Meghan Dunn and Ronneka Robertson, who scored 17 and 12 points, respectively. Wake Forest was saddled with foul trouble most of the game, but South Alabama was never able to contain Hamby, who now has 9 double-doubles this season, as she chases the single-season record of 20 set by Tracy Connnor during the 1992-93 season.
The Deacs now have a short holiday break before heading south to participate in the Florida International University Sun & Fun Classic. Wake will face Florida A&M on December 28th, and either Fairleigh Dickenson or FIU the following day. They open the ACC schedule at home against Miami on January 4th at Joel Coliseum.