WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (Interstat) — In a defensive struggle defined by missed opportunities and relentless pressure, the Wake Forest women’s basketball team remained undefeated, edging out a resilient Mercer squad 66-61 on Thursday night at a sparsely attended Joel Memorial Coliseum.

The game was a tale of offensive inefficiency, with both teams combining for 42 turnovers. Wake Forest improved to 4-0 on the young season, while Mercer, despite a valiant effort, fell to an even 2-2.

The contest was ultimately decided at the free-throw line and in the paint. Wake Forest, while shooting just 15 of 22 from the charity stripe, leveraged those attempts to build a crucial advantage. More critically, the Demon Deacons dominated inside, outscoring Mercer significantly on layups and capitalizing on a stark disparity in field goal percentage. Wake Forest connected on 24 of 53 shots from the floor for a 45.3 percent clip, while Mercer was hampered by a 35.8 percent shooting night, making just 24 of 67 attempts.

Grace Oliver was the undeniable catalyst for the Demon Deacons. The 6-foot-1 forward from Norwell, Massachusetts, poured in a game-high 21 points and grabbed seven rebounds, consistently finding seams in the Mercer defense for key baskets. She was complemented by Mary Carter, a 6-foot-3 presence from Rocklin, California, who added 16 points, four rebounds and two blocks, providing a formidable interior duo.

Raven Preston of nearby Greensboro, North Carolina, nearly notched a double-double, finishing with 10 points and nine rebounds, her activity on both ends proving vital. Australian guard Opal Bird, despite scoring only a single point, orchestrated the offense with a game-high eight assists.

Mercer was led by the dynamic guard play of Nahawa Diarra. The native of Barcelona, Spain, matched Oliver’s output with 21 points of her own, adding six rebounds. Stephanie Utomi of Detroit was a force on the glass, pulling down a game-high 11 rebounds to go with six points. Elena Cabello, also from Spain, provided a spark off the bench with 11 points and five rebounds.

The game unfolded as a tense, back-and-forth affair from the opening tip. Mercer held a narrow 17-16 lead after the first quarter, but Wake Forest’s consistent, quarter-by-quarter output—16 points in the second and 15 in the third—allowed them to slowly build a cushion. The Demon Deacons took a 32-29 lead into halftime and extended it to 47-48 heading into the final frame.

Mercer refused to capitulate, staying within striking distance throughout the fourth quarter. The Bears’ defense forced Wake Forest into several late mistakes, but their own offensive struggles, particularly from beyond the arc where they shot 7 of 23, prevented them from completing the comeback. A key sequence in the final minute saw Mercer, down by three, get a defensive stop but fail to convert on the ensuing possession. Wake Forest secured the victory by making critical free throws in the closing seconds to seal the five-point margin.

Statistically, the game was a paradox. Mercer won the battle on the offensive glass, 16-9, and matched Wake Forest in several categories, including steals and blocks. However, the Bears’ 22 turnovers and inferior shooting efficiency proved too significant to overcome. Wake Forest’s offensive rating of 88.7, while not stellar, bested Mercer’s mark of 79.9, underscoring the difference in offensive execution.

Wake Forest now looks ahead to a home game against North Carolina Central next Thursday. Mercer, meanwhile, will continue a challenging road stretch with a trip to face Jackson State on Wednesday.