Sunday, November 29
Fort Myers, FL
2:30 p.m.
Wake Forest University
2-1,0-0ACC
68
vs
59
Missouri State
2-1,0-0MVC
1
2
3
4
F
Wake Forest
20
10
23
15
68
Missouri St.
18
8
14
19
59
Deacs Take Down No. 24 Missouri State
11/29/2020 5:45:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Senior forward Ivana Raca nearly finished the game with a double-double, posting a game-high 23 points and nine rebounds.
FT. MYERS, Fla. – The Wake Forest women's basketball knocked off No. 24 Missouri State 68-59 on Sunday afternoon in Ft. Myers, Fla.
This marks the first win over a ranked opponent since the Deacs (2-1) defeated No. 15 NC State, 89-77, on Feb. 19, 2017.
Senior Ivana Raca was once again the focal point of the Wake Forest offensive attack, netting 23 points including a perfect 6-of-6 from the free throw line. She also led the Demon Deacons with five assists and nine rebounds in the victory over the nationally-ranked Bears (2-1).
After trailing by as much as 10 points in the opening minutes, Wake Forest quickly responded to get back into the game. With the help of a Raca three with 16 seconds left in the first quarter, the Deacs finished the quarter on an 18-6 run to take their first lead of the game.
From that point, Wake Forest would never trail again.
The Demon Deacons stifled the explosive Bears' offense who had scored 74 points or better in each of their first two games. Missouri State's 59 points were the fewest since it scored 52 on Dec. 20, 2019 against Gonzaga.
Additionally, Wake Forest held the Bears to just 37.1 percent from the field including 1-of-12 from behind the three-point arc.
Sophomore Alexandria Scruggs continued her strong play to start the season, finishing the afternoon with 15 points on 5-of-7 shooting.
She knocked down 3-of-4 shots from behind the arc. This included a dagger with 3:49 left in the game, putting the Deacs up 61-50 at that point.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
• After falling behind 12-2 early in the first quarter, Wake Forest proceeded to go on a 7-0 run to pull within three. The run was capped off by a step back three from freshman guard Jewel Spear at the 4:33 mark.
• The Deacs continued to work their way back into the game, ending the first quarter on a 6-0 run to jump in front for the first time in the game. Ivana Raca drilled a three to close out the quarter, putting Wake Forest ahead 20-18 after 10 minutes. She led all scorers with seven points at that point.
• Wake Forest was without starting point guard Gina Conti for the majority of the first two quarters after she picked up two early fouls. Replacing her, Nevaeh Brown and Kaia Harrison took over at point. Harrison played 15 minutes in the first two quarters, posting two points, two assists and a steal. Brown saw nine minutes on the floor with two points, two rebounds and a steal.
• By halftime, the Demon Deacons held on to a 30-26 lead with the help of stingy defense. The Deacs limited the explosive offense of Missouri State to just 34 percent shooting while the Bears also went 0-of-8 from behind the arc.
• The Demon Deacons continued to build their lead in the third quarter, extending it out to as much as 13 points. The Deacs were able to attack the basket often during the third, tallying six layups to help take a 53-40 lead into the fourth.
• The Deacs would lead by as many as 15 points in the fourth with the help of Alexandria Scruggs. The sophomore guard hit a pair of clutch threes that proved to be the dagger in the game. The final came with 3:49 left in the game, extending the Wake Forest lead to 61-50.
• Wake Forest was able to put the game away at the line in the fourth, going 7-of-8 from the charity stripe in the final quarter to close out the 68-59 ranked victory.
STANDOUT STAT
The Demon Deacons improve to a perfect 6-0 against Missouri Valley Conference teams in program history. This was the Deacs first matchup against the Missouri Valley since 2007.
Versus Missouri Valley
Team W L First Played Last Played
Bradley 2 0 1992 1993
Eastern Illinois 2 0 1986 1988
Missouri State 1 0 2020 2020
Wichita State 1 0 2008 2008
TOTAL 6 0
FROM HOOVER
"I'm so proud of the energy and focus we had today. It is not easy to play three games in three days. I reminded the team of the ACC Tournament last season and what it takes to win on that third day. We were fierce and able to take the first punch from Missouri State. Being down early did not faze us. We just went out and continued to execute the gameplan."
What really impressed me today was our defensive effort. It was something that was an emphasis for us after the first two games. Everyone contributed to this win especially Kaia Harrison and Alex Scruggs when Gina went out in the first quarter. This season our motto is 'Earn It' and earn the respect of people around the country. We definitely proved something today with a win over a talented top-25 team." – Head Coach Jen Hoover
NEXT UP
The Demon Deacons return to North Carolina, traveling to Charlotte on Thursday for a 6 p.m. tipoff against the 49ers.
The game can be seen on ESPN+ ($).
This marks the first win over a ranked opponent since the Deacs (2-1) defeated No. 15 NC State, 89-77, on Feb. 19, 2017.
Senior Ivana Raca was once again the focal point of the Wake Forest offensive attack, netting 23 points including a perfect 6-of-6 from the free throw line. She also led the Demon Deacons with five assists and nine rebounds in the victory over the nationally-ranked Bears (2-1).
After trailing by as much as 10 points in the opening minutes, Wake Forest quickly responded to get back into the game. With the help of a Raca three with 16 seconds left in the first quarter, the Deacs finished the quarter on an 18-6 run to take their first lead of the game.
From that point, Wake Forest would never trail again.
The Demon Deacons stifled the explosive Bears' offense who had scored 74 points or better in each of their first two games. Missouri State's 59 points were the fewest since it scored 52 on Dec. 20, 2019 against Gonzaga.
Additionally, Wake Forest held the Bears to just 37.1 percent from the field including 1-of-12 from behind the three-point arc.
Sophomore Alexandria Scruggs continued her strong play to start the season, finishing the afternoon with 15 points on 5-of-7 shooting.
She knocked down 3-of-4 shots from behind the arc. This included a dagger with 3:49 left in the game, putting the Deacs up 61-50 at that point.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
• After falling behind 12-2 early in the first quarter, Wake Forest proceeded to go on a 7-0 run to pull within three. The run was capped off by a step back three from freshman guard Jewel Spear at the 4:33 mark.
• The Deacs continued to work their way back into the game, ending the first quarter on a 6-0 run to jump in front for the first time in the game. Ivana Raca drilled a three to close out the quarter, putting Wake Forest ahead 20-18 after 10 minutes. She led all scorers with seven points at that point.
• Wake Forest was without starting point guard Gina Conti for the majority of the first two quarters after she picked up two early fouls. Replacing her, Nevaeh Brown and Kaia Harrison took over at point. Harrison played 15 minutes in the first two quarters, posting two points, two assists and a steal. Brown saw nine minutes on the floor with two points, two rebounds and a steal.
• By halftime, the Demon Deacons held on to a 30-26 lead with the help of stingy defense. The Deacs limited the explosive offense of Missouri State to just 34 percent shooting while the Bears also went 0-of-8 from behind the arc.
• The Demon Deacons continued to build their lead in the third quarter, extending it out to as much as 13 points. The Deacs were able to attack the basket often during the third, tallying six layups to help take a 53-40 lead into the fourth.
• The Deacs would lead by as many as 15 points in the fourth with the help of Alexandria Scruggs. The sophomore guard hit a pair of clutch threes that proved to be the dagger in the game. The final came with 3:49 left in the game, extending the Wake Forest lead to 61-50.
• Wake Forest was able to put the game away at the line in the fourth, going 7-of-8 from the charity stripe in the final quarter to close out the 68-59 ranked victory.
STANDOUT STAT
The Demon Deacons improve to a perfect 6-0 against Missouri Valley Conference teams in program history. This was the Deacs first matchup against the Missouri Valley since 2007.
Versus Missouri Valley
Team W L First Played Last Played
Bradley 2 0 1992 1993
Eastern Illinois 2 0 1986 1988
Missouri State 1 0 2020 2020
Wichita State 1 0 2008 2008
TOTAL 6 0
FROM HOOVER
"I'm so proud of the energy and focus we had today. It is not easy to play three games in three days. I reminded the team of the ACC Tournament last season and what it takes to win on that third day. We were fierce and able to take the first punch from Missouri State. Being down early did not faze us. We just went out and continued to execute the gameplan."
What really impressed me today was our defensive effort. It was something that was an emphasis for us after the first two games. Everyone contributed to this win especially Kaia Harrison and Alex Scruggs when Gina went out in the first quarter. This season our motto is 'Earn It' and earn the respect of people around the country. We definitely proved something today with a win over a talented top-25 team." – Head Coach Jen Hoover
NEXT UP
The Demon Deacons return to North Carolina, traveling to Charlotte on Thursday for a 6 p.m. tipoff against the 49ers.
The game can be seen on ESPN+ ($).
Team Stats
Wake
MSU
FG%
.458
.371
3FG%
.438
.083
FT%
.739
.750
RB
27
44
TO
14
15
STL
6
9
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
23
FGM
7
3FGM
3
FTM
6
Pts
15
FGM
5
3FGM
3
FTM
2
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
6
FGM
2
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
Forward
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
/ Women's BasketballWake Forest Football vs Western Carolina | Cinematic Recap
Tuesday, September 09
Coach Jake Dickert Press Conference (Sept. 8, 2025)
Monday, September 08
Head Coach Jake Dickert Press Conference (NC State)
Monday, September 08
Wake Forest Football Highlights vs WCU (Sept 6, 2025)
Sunday, September 07