Alondes Williams scored 22 points in his first game for Wake Forest as the Demon Deacons opened their season by overwhelming visiting William & Mary in a 77-59 decision Wednesday night in Winston-Salem, N.C.
Williams, a graduate transfer from Oklahoma, shot 9-for-12 from the field.
Solid contributions from newcomers became a theme for rebuilding Wake Forest.
Jake LaRavia, a transfer from Indiana State, provided 13 points on 6-for-9 shooting, while Daivien Williamson and freshman Cameron Hildreth both chipped in with 10 points.
Ben Wright racked up 18 points for William & Mary. Connor Kochera, who was last season’s Rookie of the Year in the Colonial Athletic Association and Tyler Rice both posted eight points for the cold-shooting Tribe, which shot 38.6 percent from the field. Rice supplied nine assists.
Part of the shooting problems for William & Mary might have stemmed from the length defensively that Wake Forest had. The Demon Deacons were credited with eight blocked shots.
It wasn’t a clean game by any stretch, with the teams combining for 38 turnovers — 21 by William & Mary and 17 by Wake Forest.
The Demon Deacons, who are beginning the season with five straight home games, used an early 16-2 run to take control. LaRavia had seven points during that stretch, including a 3-point basket and a dunk.
Wake Forest led 46-18 at halftime, in large part because of William & Mary’s shooting woes and the ability of the Demon Deacons to get the ball into the lane. The Tribe shot 1-for-12 on 3-pointers in the first half.
William & Mary finished with six 3-point baskets. Wake Forest ended up with a 37-36 rebounding advantage.
The teams combined for 13 wins (seven for William & Mary, six for Wake Forest) last season so this was a chance for a fresh start.
–Field Level Media
