WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The La Salle women's basketball team fell 61-53 to the Demon Deacons in a tightly contested game on Wednesday afternoon at the LJVM Coliseum. 

The Explorers entered the final quarter trailing just 45-43 before the Demon Deacons used an 8-2 run to stretch the lead to eight points midway through the final quarter. The Explorers kept the game within reach over the final six minutes but couldn't close the gap. 

Sophomore Amy Griffin and freshman Adreana Miller each had 13 points for La Salle, with Griffin adding seven rebounds. Micahya Owens also scored in double figures for the Blue and Gold, adding 11 points and three rebounds. 

Griffin helped set the tone for the 1st quarter, picking up a steal on Wake Forest's opening possession and giving La Salle an early lead with a fast break layup. 

Ebony Wells later hit back-to-back jumpers to spark a 10-1 run that pushed La Salle's lead to 15-5. Miller capped the run with a three-pointer with 2:18 left in the quarter. 

Wake Forest cut into the lead with eight straight points to close the quarter with La Salle leading 17-13.

The Explorers struggled to score in the 2nd quarter as Wake Forest took a 26-17 lead with a 13-0 run. Ashanti Freeland hit a layup to snap the scoreless stretch, and La Salle ended the quarter on an 8-2 run to make it a three-point game at the half. 

Freeland tied her career-high with 10 rebounds while Jasmine Alston filled the stat sheet with five points, eight rebounds and four assists. 

The Explorers now head to Coral Gables, Fla. for the Miami Thanksgiving Classic where they'll take on Milwaukee on Saturday and Miami on Sunday afternoon.