ATLANTA — It's taken four years, but Brigitte Ardossi is now doing the big things as well as the little ones for Georgia Tech.
Ardossi had a career-high 29 points and 11 rebounds to lead No. 21 Georgia Tech to a 72-66 victory over Wake Forest on Thursday night.
"When you're a senior, you have to step up," said Ardossi, who averaged just 4.8 points per game in her first three seasons. "I've worked hard to make this my year."
Alex Montgomery had 15 points on five 3-pointers and added five assists for the Yellow Jackets (15-3 overall, 2-1 Atlantic Coast Conference), who improved to 8-0 at home.
"It's been great to see her come along as a scorer," Montgomery said of Ardossi. "She has always done everything else. Now she is dominating on offense and defense."
Ardossi shot 10 for 15 from the floor and 9 for 12 at the foul line. The 6-foot-2 senior from Australia came in averaging team highs of 13.5 points and 6.8 rebounds.
"I was kinda surprised she hadn't got here before know (as a scorer)," Georgia Tech coach MaChelle Joseph said. "It's not like we figured out she could play after three years. She started her first game as a freshman.
Georgia Tech, which lost its ACC opener at No. 10 North Carolina, can match its best conference start under Joseph when it plays at Boston College on Sunday. The Yellow Jackets, in the NCAA Tournament the past three years, began the 2007-2008 season 3-1.
Courtney Morris and Asia Williams had 14 points each to lead Wake Forest (10-7, 1-2). Brittany Waters, the Demon Deacons' leading scorer at 15.6 points per game, fouled out with 9:50 remaining after getting only five points.
Wake Forest never led, but cut a 14-point deficit to one with two baskets to begin the second half before Georgia Tech regained control. Ardossi scored seven points to lead a 15-5 run and the Demon Deacons couldn't get closer than six the rest of the way.
"Ardossi was very good and we had no answer for her," Wake Forest coach Mike Petersen said.
Georgia Tech jumped to a 17-5 lead, with Ardossi and Sasha Goodlett each getting six points inside. Then Montgomery made four consecutive 3-pointers after an early miss.
"It felt great," said Montgomery, who was 4-for-21 on 3-pointers the past two games.
The Yellow Jackets led 32-18 after Montgomery's fourth 3, but Wake Forest scored nine straight points and pulled to 36-31 at halftime.
"Asia Williams had a great game," Petersen said. "She came in and brought the aggressive attack we needed."
Wake Forest, however, couldnt overcome its slow start and Waters foul troubles as Georgia Tech remained unbeaten at home.
"One of our main goals is to protect the home court," Montgomery said.
"If you want a good seeding in the NCAA Tournament, you cant lose at home," Joseph said.