WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (Interstat) — In a game defined by grit and defensive pressure, the Wake Forest women’s basketball team narrowly escaped an upset bid from visiting North Carolina Central, securing a 68-65 victory Thursday night at a sparsely attended Joel Memorial Coliseum.

The contest was a tale of two halves, with the Demon Deacons building a commanding early lead only to see the Eagles claw back into contention with a relentless second-half effort. The win pushed Wake Forest’s record to a perfect 5-0 to start the season, while North Carolina Central fell to 1-4.

Wake Forest exploded out of the gate, dominating the first quarter with a 27-point outburst. The Demon Deacons’ interior presence was overwhelming early, as they established a significant advantage in the paint that would prove crucial. Grace Oliver, a 6-foot-1 guard from Norwell, Massachusetts, was instrumental in the fast start, scoring 11 of her team-high 19 points in the opening period. Her layup with 41 seconds remaining in the quarter gave Wake Forest its largest lead of the game at 27-15.

North Carolina Central, however, refused to capitulate. The Eagles began to chip away at the deficit in the second quarter, tightening their defense and capitalizing on Wake Forest mistakes. The Demon Deacons’ offense cooled considerably, managing only 15 points in the period as their three-point shooting woes persisted. Wake Forest finished the game a frigid 3 of 21 from beyond the arc.

The Eagles’ comeback was fueled by a balanced scoring attack and a disruptive defense that forced 21 Wake Forest turnovers, converting them into 26 points. Morgan Callahan, a 6-foot forward from Beach Park, Illinois, was a force inside for NCCU, matching Oliver’s game-high 19 points while adding a block and several key defensive rebounds. Her consistent play in the post kept the Eagles within striking distance throughout the second half.

The third quarter saw North Carolina Central continue its methodical climb back into the game, outscoring Wake Forest 19-16. Tierney Coleman, a 5-foot-9 guard from Marrero, Louisiana, caught fire during this stretch, scoring 10 of her 15 points. Her offensive surge, combined with the Eagles’ active hands on defense, cut the Wake Forest lead to just six points heading into the final quarter.

The fourth quarter evolved into a tense, back-and-forth affair. Wake Forest’s offense continued to sputter, scoring a mere 10 points in the period and struggling from the free-throw line, where they finished a disappointing 15 of 27. North Carolina Central capitalized, drawing even and then taking a brief lead late in the game.

With the score tied and under a minute to play, Wake Forest’ Aurora Sørbye, a 5-foot-9 guard from Sarasota, Florida, came up with a critical steal and converted the fast-break layup to put the Demon Deacons ahead 67-65 with 22 seconds remaining. Sørbye finished with 9 points.

North Carolina Central had a chance to tie or take the lead on its final possession, but a turnover with four seconds left sealed its fate. Wake Forest’s Raven Preston, a 5-foot-11 guard from Greensboro, North Carolina, was fouled and made one of two free throws to provide the final margin of victory. Preston ended the night with 13 points.

Despite the loss, North Carolina Central outperformed Wake Forest in several statistical categories. The Eagles dished out 13 assists to Wake Forest’s 8 and recorded 13 steals, led by Coleman’s four. However, the Demon Deacons’ dominance on the offensive glass, where they grabbed 13 rebounds leading to 16 second-chance points, and their overwhelming 42-24 advantage in points in the paint were ultimately the difference-makers.

Mary Carter provided a strong inside presence for Wake Forest, scoring 11 points and pulling down several key defensive rebounds. For the Eagles, Nia Young of Raleigh, North Carolina, contributed 13 points in the losing effort.

The game was a statistical anomaly, with both teams committing 21 turnovers and posting nearly identical offensive ratings. Wake Forest scored 68 points on 84 possessions for a rating of 81.1, while North Carolina Central scored 65 on 80 possessions for a rating of 80.8.

Wake Forest will look to maintain its undefeated record when it hosts Western Carolina on Sunday. North Carolina Central, meanwhile, will travel to face Old Dominion on Sunday as it continues to search for its second win of the season.