Third-Quarter Shooting Pushed Deacs to Road Win

GREENVILLE, N.C. – In the first road game in head coach Megan Gebbia era, the Wake Forest women's basketball team defeated in-state East Carolina, 57-46, Thursday evening in Greenville, N.C.

The Demon Deacons (2-0) were aided by a red-hot shooting performance in the third quarter that helped push the Deacs lead up against the Pirates (1-1) to as many as 20 points in the quarter.

Wake Forest shot a scorching 76.9 percent from the field (10-of-13) and 80 percent from behind the arc (4-of-5) in the third. By the end of the quarter, the Deacs held a 17-point advantage after winning the third quarter 28-11.

Wake Forest was led by preseason All-ACC selection and the league's returning scorer, Jewel Spear. The junior guard netted 23 points for the second time this season while shooting 4-of-9 from the field and 4-for-7 from beyond the arc. Additionally, The Colony, Texas native shot 11-for-14 from the charity stripe. Spear's 11 converted free throws marks a new career high.

She is now just 115 points away from 1,000 in her Wake Forest career.

Senior guard Alexandria Scruggs finished with season-high 13 points and shot an efficient 6-of-10 from the floor in addition to seven rebounds and a couple of assists.

Demeara Hinds compiled a game-high nine rebounds, including a career-high eight offensive boards to give the Demon Deacons plenty of extra possessions throughout the contest.

As a team, the Demon Deacons held the Pirates to just 31.3 percent and 17.6 percent from beyond-the-arc.

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

After some good defensive possessions by both teams, Willliams opened the scoring with a driving layup at the 7:52 mark.
- The Pirates did not score their first points until a three pointer with 6:40 remaining in the first quarter.
The defensive battle continued, as the two teams went into the first media timeout at the 4:22 mark, tied 5-5.
- Wake Forest held East Carolina to just 2-for-7 shooting and outrebounded the Pirates, 8-3, over the first five and a half minutes.
Scruggs and Spear scored on back-to-back possessions as the Demon Deacon offense started to heat up with two minutes to go in the first quarter.
The junior guard sank her third three of the contest on just four attempts at the 0:51 mark.
- As time expired at the end of the quarter, she was fouled while shooting a long-range shot from around half-court and earned a trip to the line for three shots. She converted on all three.
Wake Forest led ECU, 18-11, at the end of the first quarter.
- Spear led the Demon Deacons with 12 points through 10 minutes.
- ECU was held to just 3-for-12 (25%) from the floor.
Hinds scored the first Wake Forest basket of the second quarter with a driving-layup after she grabbed her fifth offensive rebound (sixth total) of the game.
The game went back to a defensive battle, as neither team made a field goal for nearly seven minutes of game time, until ECU tied the contest with 24 seconds remaining in the half with a driving layup on a fast break.
The teams went into the locker room level at 20-20.
- The Pirates finished the half 6-for-24 from the field.
- Wake Forest outrebounded ECU, 25 to 13 over the first 20 minutes of action.
  - Hinds led the way with six, followed by Summiel and Scruggs with four apiece.
It took Scruggs no time to open the second half scoring, as she sank a pullup jumper just 10 seconds in.
Scrugg and Spear connected on back-to-back three pointers to spark a 9-0 run just a little over two minutes into the half.
Hinds yet again grabbed an offensive rebound and put it back up to extend the Wake Forest lead to double digits.
Williams made her first three-pointer of the night with 4:17 remaining in the third quarter.
Summiel extended the Wake Forest lead to 20 with a three of her own with a minute to go in the quarter.
The Demon Deacons took a 48-31 lead into the fourth quarter.
- Wake Forest forced seven turnovers and outscored ECU 28-11 in the third.
- Scruggs had a team-high nine points in the third period of play on 4-of-5 shooting.
- As a team, Wake Forest went 10-for-13 from the floor in the quarter and 4-of-5 from beyond-the-arc.
Conley scored her first points of the campaign with a three to open the fourth quarter for the Demon Deacons.
Williams ended a 7-0 ECU run with a driving layup with 2:10 remaining in the game.
Wake Forest finished strong defensively and held the Pirates to just five made field goals in the final quarter to see out the 57-46 road victory.

STANDOUT STAT

After being tied at 20-20 going into halftime, the Demon Deacons came out on fire in the third quarter to take control of the game for good.
- Wake Forest shot a scorching 76.9 percent from the field (10-of-13) and 80 percent from behind the arc (4-of-5). By the end of the quarter, the Deacs held a 17-point advantage after winning the third quarter 28-11.

FROM GEBBIA

"It is always tough to win on the road no matter where you are and I am proud of this team for getting the win. We played well on the defensive end of the floor, holding them to under 50 points. Niyah especially came up huge there in the second half with her three charges to really swing things in our favor. Offensively that third quarter really helped propel us to the win and everything was flowing smoothly. I am proud of the offensive effort from both Alex and Jewel who were definitely key in this one. Still some areas we need to improve on going into Virginia on Sunday but always good to come home with a win." - head coach Megan Gebbia

NEXT UP

The first ACC game of the Gebbia era comes on Sunday when Wake Forest travels to Charlottesville, Va. for a 2 p.m. tipoff against Virginia on ACC Network.

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 Blue Ridge 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.

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Team Stats

Jewel Spear

Alexandria Scruggs

Elise Williams

Olivia Summiel

Wake Forest Athletics