California Golden Bears Dominate Wake Forest in ACC Tournament Opener
In a decisive opening match of the ACC Tournament, the California Golden Bears overpowered the Wake Forest Demon Deacons with a final score of 75-52. Star player Sakima Walker showcased her talent, recording a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Supporting her were fellow teammates, including second-team All-ACC guard LuLu Twidale, who contributed 11 points and secured seven rebounds, while Gisella Maul and Aliyahna Morris both added 10 points to the scoreboard, helping the 10th-seeded Golden Bears improve to a record of 19-13.
Wake Forest’s Struggles and Game Dynamics
On the other side, the 15th-seeded Demon Deacons, now with a 14-17 record, saw Mary Carter lead their efforts by scoring 13 points, while Grace Oliver chipped in with 10. The match was characterized by early competitiveness, as five lead changes occurred within the first 13 and a half minutes. However, California seized the momentum with a decisive 10-0 run, establishing a 25-17 advantage in the second quarter.
Second Half Dominance
By halftime, the Golden Bears held a comfortable 32-21 lead, but it was in the third quarter where they truly asserted dominance, outscoring Wake Forest 29-12. California’s efficiency flourished as they shot an impressive 56% from the floor during that period and made all seven of their free-throw attempts.
Cal maintained a significant lead throughout the final quarter, with their smallest margin being 71-52 just two minutes before the end, after which their starters took a well-deserved rest.
Looking Ahead
Earlier in the season, California had also triumphed over Wake Forest, winning 61-52 in their regular-season encounter held at Berkeley. Looking ahead, California is set to face off against the seventh-seeded Syracuse in the tournament’s next round on Thursday, with the winner earning a chance to compete against the second-seeded Louisville in the quarterfinals.
