Deacs Look to Close Homestand Strong Wednesday

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Wake Forest women's basketball team closes out its five-game homestand Wednesday against South Carolina State at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

The Demon Deacons' (9-1), who holds a mark of 7-1 this season, will look to continue its winning ways at home. Part of Wake Forest's success at home during this stretch has been its ability to score the basketball at a historic rate. For the first time since the 2010-11 season, the Demon Deacons have had three 90-plus scoring games and they have recorded all three in the last four games including a 90-58 victory over ETSU in their latest outing on Monday.

The Bulldogs (0-9) are still in search of their first win this season after dropping their most recent contest to Western Carolina, 61-52, on Sunday afternoon. South Carolina State is led by a pair of double-figure scorers in sophomore forward Trinity Klock (12.3 points per game) and freshman guard Nicole Gwynn (10.4 points per game). Klock also leads the team with 7.8 rebounds per game and 1.9 blocks per game.

Tipoff for Wednesday's game against the Bulldogs is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. (ET) at LJVM Coliseum. The game can also be seen on ACC Network Extra as well as Watch ESPN/ESPN App.

Fans can follow along via the Demon Deacons Twitter, Instagram and Facebook accounts (@WakeWBB).

NET RANKINGS

The Demon Deacons currently rank No. 52 in the latest NET rankings after initially opening up the season No. 57. The field of the NCAA Tournament for the first time in its history will expand to 68 teams this year.

CHARITY STRIPE

The Demon Deacons have gotten to the free throw line more than any other team in the ACC this season, averaging over 20 attempts. Their attempts rank 35th in the country and their 144 makes this season ranks 27th in the nation.

CRASHING THE GLASS

Getting on the glass has been a point of emphasis for head coach Jen Hoover since she arrived on campus. In the last seven seasons, Wake Forest has averaged better than 38 rebounds per game including averaging 40 or more during the 2013-14 season (40.5 rebounds per game) and the 2016-17 season (41.1 rebounds per game).

This season the Demon Deacons are off to another impressive start on the glass, totaling 434 rebounds while also having a Hoover era best 43.40 rebounds per game. The Deacs +11.4 rebounding margin ranks 15th in the nation.

LAST TIME

Wake Forest vs. ETSU (Dec. 13)

Result: W, 90-58

Wake Forest posted its third 90-point game of the season en route to a 90-58 win on Monday afternoon. The first time the Demon Deacons have done so since the 2010-11 season.
- Jewel Spear finished with the second-most points in Demon Deacon history, posting 40 points in the victory. This also included a school record 10 three-point makes breaking the previous record of nine tied by Chelsea Douglas (at FIU on Dec. 29, 2013) and Elisa Penna (at NC State Feb. 18, 2018). Additionally, this was just the fifth 40-point game in program history and the first since Dearica Hamby versus Montana on Nov. 29, 2014.

SERIES HISTORY

Versus South Carolina State

Series: Wake Forest leads 4-0

Last: Dec. 19, 2018

Result: W, 58-44

The Wake Forest women's basketball team took care of business in Myrtle Beach, defeating South Carolina State, 58-44, on Wednesday night. Alex Sharp (15 pts, 11 reb) and Ona Udoh (13 pts, 13 reb) notched double-doubles for the second straight game.

STANDOUT STAT

Jewel Spear enters Wednesday's contest as one of the best scorers in the nation, ranking top-10 nationally in total points, points per game, threes per game, total three-point makes and total three point attempts while also ranking in the top 25 in free throws made and field goals made. Spear also leads all ACC scorers by nearly 5.0 points per game:

Jewel Spear (WF) 22.3 PPG
Taylor Soule (BC) 17.4 PPG
Elizabeth Kitley (VT) 17.3 PPG
Deja Kelly (UNC) 16.7 PPG
Alyssa Utsby (UNC) 16.1 PPG

PROGRAM'S ALL-TIME WINS LEADER

Wake Forest head coach Jen Hoover is looking to remain dominant in non-conference play as she has racked up 81 non-conference wins in her 10 seasons at the helm of the Demon Deacons. She also continues to distance herself as the program's all-time wins leader:

Wake Forest Wins Leaders

1. Jen Hoover (2013-pres.) 135

2. Mike Petersen (2005-12) 125

3. Joe Sanchez (1986-92) 109

NEXT UP

Wake Forest is set to open up Atlantic Coast Conference play on the road Sunday when the Demon Deacons travel to No. 18 Georgia Tech. The Deacs captured a 61-52 victory in Atlanta last season.

If you are not in attendance on Sunday in Atlanta, you can see the game on ACC Network and WatchESPN/ESPN App.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Alex Sharp

Jewel Spear

Ona Udoh

Wake Forest Athletics