Wake Forest’s Victory Proves Costly

Wake Forest easily defeated High Point Friday night at Winston-Salem, N.C., but it came at a price.

Starting forward Darius Songaila, the team’s second-leading scorer and rebounder, sprained a ligament in his right knee during a fall under the basket less than a minute into the second half of the No. 25 Demon Deacons’ 79-35 victory over the Panthers. The 6-foot-9 sophomore, who averages 13.1 points and 5.0 rebounds, was helped to the locker room without putting much weight on his leg and did not return. Coach Dave Odom said Songaila is doubtful and could be lost for a week to 10 days.

Sophomore forward Antwan Scott, who entered the game ninth on Wake Forest (7-1) in minutes played, scored 15 points and had nine rebounds against High Point (5-2).

“Where one door closes another one opens,” Odom said. “Here comes Antwan. “We’ll see if he can play defense. We’ll see if he can rebound against the highest level of college basketball, because that’s what we’ve got coming.”

Washington 61, Wichita State 47--Deon Luton and Senque Carey scored four points each as the Huskies opened the second half with a 16-4 run and then coasted to victory in Seattle.

WOMEN

No. 2 Tennessee 100, DePaul 66--Tamika Catchings scored 21 points despite sitting out the final nine minutes with four fouls and the Lady Volunteers defeated the Blue Demons at Chicago for their seventh consecutive victory.

Catchings made nine of 13 shots and had three steals for the Lady Volunteers (7-1), who led, 15-2, five minutes into the game. DePaul (5-3) couldn’t handle the defensive pressure of Tennessee. Transition layups from Catchings, Semeka Randall and Kristen Clement extended the lead to as many as 27 points and Tennessee led, 61-35, at halftime.

No. 7 Texas Tech 60, South Florida 44--Keitha Dickerson scored 14 of her 16 points in the second half as the Lady Raiders overcame a sluggish start at Tampa, Fla., and handed the Bulls their first loss.

The Lady Raiders (8-0) led by only two points at halftime, but took control with a 10-2 run to start the second half. Monica Echeverria had 16 points for South Florida (7-1).