Wake Forest University
Florida State
Demon Deacons Open Home Conference Slate Thursday Night
12/28/2021 6:57:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Wake Forest is set to host Florida State for the first of back-to-back home games at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum this week.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Wake Forest women's basketball team is scheduled to open its Atlantic Coast Conference home slate Thursday against Florida State at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
The Demon Deacons (10-2, 0-1 ACC) will be looking to bounce back coming off the 11-day holiday break after falling to No. 18 Georgia Tech on the road to open conference play. Sophomore guard Jewel Spar continues to pace the league in scoring entering Thursday as she is the only player in the conference with better than 20 points per game. Additionally, her 21.4 points per game is nearly three points better than the next closest player in the conference.
The Seminoles (6-5, 0-1) are also coming off a loss to Virginia Tech in their ACC opener earlier this month. They have been led by 2021 First Team All-ACC performer Morgan Jones this season and she dropped 21 points in the losing effort against the Hokies on Dec. 19. Jones is averaging a career-best 15.2 points per game this season while also shooting 53.6 pct. from the field.
Tipoff for Thursday night's game against the Seminoles is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. (ET) at LJVM Coliseum. The game can also be seen on ACC Network Extra.
Fans can follow along via the Demon Deacons Twitter, Instagram and Facebook accounts (@WakeWBB).
HOLDING DOWN OPPONENTS
The Demon Deacons have held all but two opponents to under 40 percent shooting from the field and all but two under 35 percent shooting from behind the arc.
The Deacs rank nationally in multiple defensive categories including No. 14 in three-point field goal defense, allowing opponents to shoot just 23.4 percent from range. This also ranks second among all ACC schools through this point in the season.
Additionally, the Deacs scoring defense is currently 29th in the country, allowing just 54.0 points per game as just five of the 12 Demon Deacon opponents have scored more than 50 points this season.
LAST TIME
Wake Forest vs. Georgia Tech (December 19)
Result: L, 45-62
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The Demon Deacons were led by a double-digit performance from freshman guard Elise Williams. She helped lead the Deacs scoring effort to start the third quarter, netting eight points on 4-of-5 shooting. Williams finished the night with 10 points.
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Fellow freshman Alyssa Andrews also had a strong start in her first career ACC game. Andrews posted nine points while also adding three rebounds to her total.
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SERIES HISTORY
Versus Florida State
Series: Florida State leads 32-18
Last: Feb. 28, 2021
Result: L, 51-59
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Ivana Raca started the game by netting 11 of the first 13 points for the Demon Deacons and finished the day with a game-high 19 points.
STANDOUT STAT
Through 12 games this season, the Demon Deacons continue to be one of the best teams in the nation in rebounding the basketball. Wake Forest ranks in the top 30 in nearly every rebounding category including rebounding margin.
The Deacs rank 19th in the country in rebounding margin with an impressive +10.7 rebounds better per game than their opponents.
NEXT UP
Wake Forest closes the home weekend when Virginia Tech comes to town on Sunday for a 4 p.m. tipoff with the Hokies. The Deacs have won the last two matchups against Virginia Tech coming into the clash on Sunday.
Secure your spot at the Joel at GoDeacs.com/Tickets
The game will also be televised on ACC Network.
