Winston-Salem Classic Brings Triad Community Together

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- The head coach Megan Gebbia era is officially underway as the Wake Forest women's basketball team claimed a 93-50 victory Sunday afternoon against crosstown Winston-Salem State at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

The Demon Deacons had a balanced attack in the Winston-Salem Classic as 10 Wake Forest players netted at least one bucket in the game.

The Deacs were led in the score column by preseason All-ACC selection and the league's returning scorer, Jewel Spear. The junior guard netted 27 points in the victory in just 22 minutes played. The Colony, Texas native finished the afternoon with seven rebounds and four assists while shooting an efficient 8-of-11 from the field including 6-of-7 from behind the arc.

Joining Spear in double figures were Alexandria Scruggs with 11 points and Raegyn Conley with 12 points.

Overall, the Deacs knocked down 34-of-65 shots (52.3 percent) and recorded an eye-popping 27 assists in the game or on 79 percent of the made baskets.

An exciting season awaits at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum as the Wake Forest women's basketball team! There is no better time than now to become a season ticket holder and support your Demon Deacons at home this season.

Along with your purchase of a $50 season ticket package this season there are many added benefits exclusive only to those who buy season tickets.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Wake Forest jumped out to a 5-0 lead to open the contest behind baskets from Jewel Spear and Alexandria Scruggs.
Winston-Salem State responded with consecutive buckets before a pull-up mid-range jumper from Kaia Harrison sparked a 13-1 Demon Deacon run over the ensuing few minutes.
Wake Forest and Winston-Salem State traded baskets for the remainder of the quarter as the Deacs maintained their 13-point advantage.
The Demon Deacons shot 40 percent from behind the arc in the first quarter, while holding the Rams to only 17 percent from three.
The Demon Deacons owned a 24-11 lead after the opening frame.
- Spear, a product of The Colony, Texas, tallied eight points, three rebounds and two assists in the opening quarter.
Winston-Salem State came out aggressive in the second quarter and narrowed the deficit to nine, but Spear immediately responded with consecutive threes.
- Spear's triples started a 12-2 run for the Demon Deacons.
- Spear matched her first quarter scoring output as she registered eight points in the second quarter. She totaled 14 points in just 16 minutes played in the opening two quarters.
Wake Forest entered the halftime break with a 46-29 lead.
- Head coach Megan Gebbia went 10 deep in the first two quarters with every player off the bench contributing to the score column.
  - Additionally, seven Deacs notched a rebound over the first 20 minutes.
- In the first half, Wake Forest outrebounded Winston-Salem State, 19-13, while holding the Rams to only 32 percent shooting from the field.
The Demon Deacons and Rams traded baskets over the first few minutes of the second half before Wake Forest stepped up its defensive intensity.
- The Deacs allowed only three points over the final 4:07 of the third quarter.
  - Of note, over a 5:13 span in the third frame, the Deacs went on a 15-3 run to extend their lead to 29 heading into the fourth quarter.
Spear continued her stellar play in the third quarter as she went 3-for-3 from three, while shooting 80 percent from the field.
Wake Forest continued to spread the wealth as seven players combined for eight assists during the third quarter.
- Within the period, the Deacs logged 11 boards.
Wake Forest opened the fourth quarter on a dominant 17-4 run and increased its lead to an insurmountable 42-point margin.
In the fourth quarter, Raegyn Conley and Scruggs joined Spear as the only Deacs to score in double figures.
- Conley scored her 10th point at the 7:03 mark of the fourth quarter on a fast-break triple.
- Scruggs reached double figures on a layup assisted by Conley.
For the game, Wake Forest held Winston-Salem State to only 30 percent shooting from the field.
- Additionally, the Deacs outrebounded the Rams 29-12 and forced 17 turnovers.
Wake Forest earned a 93-50 victory.

STANDOUT STAT

The Demon Deacons finished the night with 27 assists on 34 made baskets (79 percent). Every single Wake Forest player had an assist. Kaia Harrison led the way with six while Jewel Spear and Raegyn Conley each had four in the game.

FROM GEBBIA

"It was nice to balance out the minutes and see that many assists. We had 27 assists, for 34 made baskets. That tells you a lot and we're running our offense well. We talked a little bit about the defensive end and how we needed to hold them to 50 points and they did that. I really appreciate the fact that we set a goal and we achieved that goal. We need to come out a little bit better in the first half on the defensive end, which we did in the last scrimmage. We got some really good minutes out of a lot of different people and it's nice to see that we have experience coming off the bench and talent. I was really happy with a couple of different people. Seeing Jewel make shots in The Joel. This is her place. This is her home, and just having the Demeara and Alyssa coming off the bench. It's kind of fun to be able to swap them in and then have the experience and know what to do." - Coach Megan Gebbia

NEXT UP

The Coach Megan Gebbia era gets officially underway on Monday, Nov. 7 against in-state foe Elon. The 5 p.m. ET tipoff will be a part of a doubleheader at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum with the men's basketball team.

Tickets for the opener can be purchased at GoDeacs.com/Tickets.

Claim Your Spot for the 2022-23 Season

The best way to see your Demon Deacons' women's basketball team this season is by purchasing season tickets for just $50.

Along with your purchase of a $50 season ticket package this season there are many added benefits exclusive only to those who buy season tickets. Admission to all 16 home games for this price Additional perks include:

A lunch opportunity with the Wake Forest women's basketball team
Only season ticket holders can sit in floor level seats
Access to Moricle Room for free light refreshments and snacks before and during each home game
"Season Ticket Holder of the Game"
- A season ticket holder will be recognized at each game
  - They will be brought onto the floor during a quarter break or timeout to be recognized
  - They will be presented with a signed picture of the team
  - They will also have videoboard graphics made for them as well

The quickest and most efficient way to order season tickets is to visit GoDeacs.com/Tickets and purchase online or call the Wake Forest Ticket Office at 336-758-3322 ext. 1. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Wake Forest Athletics

Winston-Salem Classic Brings Triad Community Together

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