WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (Interstat) — Grace Oliver scored 21 points and grabbed seven rebounds to lead Wake Forest to a hard-fought 66-61 victory over Mercer in a non-conference women’s basketball game Thursday night at a sparsely attended Joel Memorial Coliseum.

The Demon Deacons remained undefeated on the young season, improving to 4-0, while the Bears evened their record at 2-2.

In a contest defined by defensive pressure and offensive struggles, neither team could establish a commanding lead. The game featured 42 combined turnovers and was a one-possession affair for much of the final period. Wake Forest finally created separation in the closing minutes, outscoring Mercer 19-13 in the fourth quarter to secure the win.

Oliver, a 6-foot-1 forward from Norwell, Massachusetts, was efficient from the floor, consistently finding lanes to the basket. She was complemented by Mary Carter, who added 16 points and four rebounds, and Raven Preston, who just missed a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds. Opal Bird of Sydney, Australia, facilitated the offense with a game-high eight assists.

Mercer was led by the dynamic backcourt play of Nahawa Diarra, who matched Oliver’s game-high 21 points and added six rebounds. The guard from Barcelona, Spain, was instrumental in keeping the Bears within striking distance throughout the night. Stephanie Utomi of Detroit anchored the interior defense, pulling down 11 rebounds, while Elena Cabello provided a spark off the bench with 11 points.

The game was a tale of contrasting offensive philosophies. Wake Forest leveraged its size and ability to draw fouls, attempting 22 free throws and making 15. Mercer, conversely, relied on volume shooting from the field, attempting 67 shots but connecting on only 24. The Bears held a significant 16-9 advantage on the offensive glass, but were ultimately undone by 22 turnovers.

The first half was a back-and-forth affair, with Mercer taking a narrow 29-28 lead into halftime. The Bears extended their lead slightly in the third quarter, outscoring the Demon Deacons 19-15 to carry a five-point advantage into the final frame.

Wake Forest’s defense tightened in the fourth quarter, and their ability to convert at the free-throw line down the stretch proved decisive. The Demon Deacons’ final five points came from the charity stripe, sealing the five-point victory.

Wake Forest, which entered the game as a heavy favorite according to statistical projections, will look to continue its perfect start when it hosts North Carolina Central next Thursday. Mercer, which had won two of its first three games, including a victory over Gardner-Webb, will travel to face Jackson State on Wednesday.