Wake Forest Athletics
Tuesday, November 9
Macon, GA
7 p.m.
Wake Forest University
at
Mercer
Wake Forest Opens 2021-22 Campaign at Mercer Tuesday
11/8/2021 7:10:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Demon Deacons return 11 players from their 2021 NCAA Tournament team including ACC All-Freshman honoree Jewel Spear.
MACON, Ga. – The Wake Forest women's basketball team is set to travel to Macon, Ga. to take on Mercer in the first regular season contest of the 2021-22 season on Tuesday night.
The Demon Deacons (0-0) return 11 players from their 2021 NCAA Tournament team including ACC All-Freshman honoree Jewel Spear. Spear is the leading returning scorer for the Demon Deacons, averaging 10.9 points as a freshman a season ago. Senior forward Christina Morra will look to anchor the post this season
Mercer (0-0) was the SoCon champion a season ago and captured the conference's automatic qualifying spot for the 2021 NCAA Tournament. The Bears return their leading scorer from a season ago in senior guard Amoria Neal-Tysor. She averaged 16.8 points per game in 2020-21and was the 2021 SoCon Tournament Most Outstanding Player.
Tipoff for Tuesday night's game against the Bears is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. (ET) in Hawkins Arena. The game can also be seen on ESPN+ ($).
Fans can follow along via the Demon Deacons Twitter, Instagram and Facebook accounts (@WakeWBB).
FEAR THE SPEAR
During her freshman campaign, Jewel Spear went for double-digit points in 14 games this season while also having three games with 20-plus points. In each of those games the ACC All-Freshman made six or more three pointers.
Her rookie campaign was the best in program history from behind the arc. Spear holds the Wake Forest freshman record with 2.32 three-point makes per game. Additionally, her career mark of 40.0 percent shooting from behind the line is the best mark in program history and her 58 three-point makes rank 10th in single season history.
Over the summer, Spear earned a spot on the 2021 USA Basketball U19 World Championship Team. She helped Team USA capture the gold medal including leading the team with 14 points in their victory over Italy in the opening game of the tournament.
LAST TIME
Wake Forest vs. Oklahoma State (March 21)
Result: L, 61-84
Versus Mercer
Series: Wake Forest leads 4-1
Last: Nov. 9, 2018
Result: W, 69-54
All-time the Demon Deacons hold a record of 46-28 against Southern Conference opponents with a winning record against every SoCon foe. Additionally, a win would improve the Demon Deacons to 7-1 in season opening games over the last eight seasons.
PROGRAM'S ALL-TIME WINS LEADER
Wake Forest head coach Jen Hoover became the program's all-time wins leader against North Carolina on March 4, 2021, with victory 126. She will look to extend her mark as the Deacs open up their season Tuesday night in Macon, Ga.
Wake Forest Wins Leaders
1. Jen Hoover (2013-pres.) 126
2. Mike Petersen (2005-12) 125
3. Joe Sanchez (1986-92) 109
CANADIAN CONNECTION
The Demon Deacons added their second Canadian-born player during the offseason with incoming transfer Niyah Becker.
Last season, she finished fourth for the Utah Utes in scoring and rebounding during her 2020-21 season. Suited up in all 21 games, making 10 starts for Utah as a junior.
In total, she has played in all 82 of Utah's games over the past three seasons. Becker recorded double-digit points in 10 games during her career including a career-high five this past season.
Morra and Becker have a connection dating back to their youth career as they earned international playing experience for the Canadian National Team.
NEXT UP
Wake Forest is set to start their home slate of action Friday afternoon against Cornell at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum as a part of a doubleheader with the men's program. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.
Be sure to arrive early as the Demon Deacons and turn your attention to the rafters as Wake Forest honors the 2021 NCAA Tournament team prior to tipoff with the Big Red.
Grab your spot for Opening Night at LJVM at GoDeacs.com/Tickets.
For those not in attendance on Friday night, the game will also stream on ACC Network Extra.
The Demon Deacons (0-0) return 11 players from their 2021 NCAA Tournament team including ACC All-Freshman honoree Jewel Spear. Spear is the leading returning scorer for the Demon Deacons, averaging 10.9 points as a freshman a season ago. Senior forward Christina Morra will look to anchor the post this season
Mercer (0-0) was the SoCon champion a season ago and captured the conference's automatic qualifying spot for the 2021 NCAA Tournament. The Bears return their leading scorer from a season ago in senior guard Amoria Neal-Tysor. She averaged 16.8 points per game in 2020-21and was the 2021 SoCon Tournament Most Outstanding Player.
Tipoff for Tuesday night's game against the Bears is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. (ET) in Hawkins Arena. The game can also be seen on ESPN+ ($).
Fans can follow along via the Demon Deacons Twitter, Instagram and Facebook accounts (@WakeWBB).
FEAR THE SPEAR
During her freshman campaign, Jewel Spear went for double-digit points in 14 games this season while also having three games with 20-plus points. In each of those games the ACC All-Freshman made six or more three pointers.
Her rookie campaign was the best in program history from behind the arc. Spear holds the Wake Forest freshman record with 2.32 three-point makes per game. Additionally, her career mark of 40.0 percent shooting from behind the line is the best mark in program history and her 58 three-point makes rank 10th in single season history.
Over the summer, Spear earned a spot on the 2021 USA Basketball U19 World Championship Team. She helped Team USA capture the gold medal including leading the team with 14 points in their victory over Italy in the opening game of the tournament.
LAST TIME
Wake Forest vs. Oklahoma State (March 21)
Result: L, 61-84
- The Demon Deacons earned a No. 9 seed in the NCAA Tournament, making their first trip to the big dance since the 1987-88 season. The Deacs drew Oklahoma State, playing against the Cowgirls for the first time in program history.
- Christina Morra led the way offensively for the Demon Deacons, netting 18 points on 8-of-14 shooting from the field in the first-round loss.
Versus Mercer
Series: Wake Forest leads 4-1
Last: Nov. 9, 2018
Result: W, 69-54
- Elisa Penna led the way for the Demon Deacons with 26 points in Wake Forest's 69-54 victory over Mercer during the 2018-19 season.
All-time the Demon Deacons hold a record of 46-28 against Southern Conference opponents with a winning record against every SoCon foe. Additionally, a win would improve the Demon Deacons to 7-1 in season opening games over the last eight seasons.
PROGRAM'S ALL-TIME WINS LEADER
Wake Forest head coach Jen Hoover became the program's all-time wins leader against North Carolina on March 4, 2021, with victory 126. She will look to extend her mark as the Deacs open up their season Tuesday night in Macon, Ga.
Wake Forest Wins Leaders
1. Jen Hoover (2013-pres.) 126
2. Mike Petersen (2005-12) 125
3. Joe Sanchez (1986-92) 109
CANADIAN CONNECTION
The Demon Deacons added their second Canadian-born player during the offseason with incoming transfer Niyah Becker.
Last season, she finished fourth for the Utah Utes in scoring and rebounding during her 2020-21 season. Suited up in all 21 games, making 10 starts for Utah as a junior.
In total, she has played in all 82 of Utah's games over the past three seasons. Becker recorded double-digit points in 10 games during her career including a career-high five this past season.
Morra and Becker have a connection dating back to their youth career as they earned international playing experience for the Canadian National Team.
NEXT UP
Wake Forest is set to start their home slate of action Friday afternoon against Cornell at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum as a part of a doubleheader with the men's program. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.
Be sure to arrive early as the Demon Deacons and turn your attention to the rafters as Wake Forest honors the 2021 NCAA Tournament team prior to tipoff with the Big Red.
Grab your spot for Opening Night at LJVM at GoDeacs.com/Tickets.
For those not in attendance on Friday night, the game will also stream on ACC Network Extra.
Players Mentioned
Forward
/ Women's Basketball
Forward
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
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