Wake Forest University
Miami
Deacs Look to Complete Sweep of Miami (FL)
1/25/2022 10:12:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Wake Forest captured the first matchup against the Hurricanes earlier this month in Coral Gables, Fla.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Wake Forest women's basketball team is back at home for the lone game of the week, hosting Miami (FL) at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Thursday.
The Demon Deacons (12-8, 2-7 ACC) will be in search of its 10th home victory of the season, which would mark the first time since the 2016-17 season that the Demon Deacons reached the double-digit win barrier at home. Additionally, Wake Forest is looking to complete the season sweep of Miami (FL) after defeating the Canes in the Jan. 6 showdown in Coral Gables, Fla. It would mark the first time since 2010 that the Deacs would capture two wins in the same season over Miami (FL) and just the second time in program history.
The Hurricanes (10-7, 3-4 ACC) have played some of their best basketball as of late, winning three of the last five games on their schedule including a ranked-victory over Georgia Tech and a pair of road wins over Clemson and Duke. Kelsey Marshall is the lone double-digit scorer for Miami (FL), averaging 14.0 points per game. Wake Forest limited Marshall to just 2-of-11 shooting from the field in the previous matchup this season.
Tipoff for Thursday night's game against the Hurricanes is scheduled for 7 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).
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 813 rebounds which ranks seventh while also having the second-best mark in the Hoover era with 40.7 rebounds per game.
Additionally, the Deacs have outrebounded opponents in 13 of 20 contests this season, holding an 11-2 record in such games.
LAST TIME
Wake Forest vs. No. 3 Louisville (Jan 23)
Result: L, 72-60
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Behind a strong shooting performance in the first 10 minutes of action, the Demon Deacons held a 22-21 lead over the nationally-ranked Cardinals entering the second quarter of play.
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In the first quarter, Wake Forest shot 50 percent from the field and knocked down 4-of-8 three point attempts including a pair from sophomore guard Jewel Spear. In the first quarter, the 2020-21 Freshman All-ACC selection netted eight points.
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Spear ended the afternoon with a team-high 22 points, crossing over the 650-point barrier for her career in just 45 games played. Her 14.8 point average to start her career in Winston-Salem is tied for fifth in program history and is the highest since Tracy Conner's 17.0 from 1994-97.
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SERIES HISTORY
Versus Miami (FL)
Series: Miami (FL) leads 15-11
Last: January 6, 2021
Result: W, 47-46
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The Demon Deacons held their seventh team this season under 50 points, limiting the Hurricanes to 28.1 percent shooting from the field and 22.2 percent from behind the arc.
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Sophomore guard Jewel Spear finished the night with a game-high 15 points while also adding a pair of rebounds and a block shot to her statline. Junior forward Olivia Summiel tallied a team-high nine rebounds.
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STANDOUT STAT
With five three-point makes in Sunday's loss to No. 3 Louisville, sophomore guard Jewel Spear moved 63 makes on the season. It is seventh in single-season program history.
Additionally, her 121 three-point makes in her career are just six away from cracking into the top-10 in Wake Forest history:
1. Cotelia Bond Young (2003-06) - 267
2. Chelsea Douglas (2010-14) - 257
3. Nicole Levesque (1991-94) - 193
4. Heidi Coleman (1995-99) - 191
5. Lakevia Boykin (2009-13) - 167
6. Tonia Brown (2001-04) - 142
Ariel Stephenson (2015-19) - 142
8. Liz Strunk (2003-06) - 141
9. Alex Tchangoue (2006-09) - 129
10. Camille Collier (2007-12) - 127
Jewel Spear (2020-pres.) - 121
NEXT UP
Wake Forest is off for a week before returning home to LJVM Coliseum on Thursday as the Demon Deacons play host to rival North Carolina at 8 p.m.
Claim your spot at LJVM Coliseum at GoDeacs.com/Tickets.
For those not in attendance on Thursday, the game will also air on RSN.
