Tribe stuns Deamon Deacons

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- David Schneider had 16 points, including seven free throws in the final 35 seconds, and William and Mary held on to beat Wake Forest 78-68 last night.

The Tribe (4-2) scored all of their final 18 points from the foul line during the game's final 2:24.

Danny Sumner also scored 16 for the Tribe, who last beat an ACC opponent 25 years ago when W&M beat Virginia 54-53 on Dec. 5, 1984.

William and Mary led nearly the entire way. The Demon Deacons (4-1) had their only lead at 6-5, and once Matt Rum converted two free throws about a minute later, the Tribe were out front.

"A lot of people will be surprised when they see this score," William and Mary coach Tony Shaver said. "We just wanted to break through, and maybe this is a breakthrough for us. It's a great accomplishment."

C.J. Harris had 17 points and Al-Farouq Aminu added 11 points and a career-high 20 rebounds, but shot just 4 of 18 from the field for Wake Forest.

The Demon Deacons shot just 35.1 percent from the field (26-for-74). That included hitting only 10 of a season-high 36 3-pointers, as William and Mary was content to pack its zone defense in the lane.

The Tribe made 7 of 17 behind the arc, including Sumner's trey with just more than 3 minutes left just before the shot clock expired. It increased the Tribe's margin to 58-46, and Wake Forest never recovered.

This was the first game all season that the Tribe made less than 10 3s in a game, but it hardly made a difference.

With their point guard Schneider and center Marcus Kitts pulling down 10 rebounds apiece, the Tribe held strong despite a size disadvantage. The Demon Deacons started 6-9 Aminu, 6-11 Tony Woods and 7-footer Chas McFarland along the frontline, and brought 6-11 David Weaver off the bench.

The Tribe outmuscled Wake Forest despite playing without center Steven Hess. He injured an elbow in practice Friday and developed an infection, then spent the night in the hospital. When his teammates returned to the locker room following the game, they quickly grabbed a phone to share the news.

Surprisingly, he wasn't needed, and now William and Mary has a signature victory already in the young season.

"We have a game against Longwood on Wednesday, and we have to keep our heads ready," Schneider said. "You can't win one against Wake on the road and then lose one at home. So, I think as a leader of the team, we just have to come out prepared and lay it all the line."