Williams Near Double-Double Leads Deacs

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Despite a strong effort from sophomore guard Elise Williams, the Demon Deacons dropped the ACC opener on the road, 72-52, Sunday afternoon against Virginia.

The Deacs (2-1, 0-1 ACC) were led by a strong effort from Williams who finished the game with a near double-double performance. The sophomore guard ended the conference opener against Virginia (3-0, 1-0 ACC) with a new career high on the glass, posting nine rebounds against the Cavaliers.

In addition to the rebounding effort, Williams also finished in double figures in the score column, tallying 10 points in the loss, a team best. The sophomore was nearly perfect at the line, going 7-of-8 from the charity stripe which was also a team-high.

She also led the team with six assists in an all-around effort for Wake Forest.

Junior Demeara Hinds continues to contribute in her expanded role as a starter this season. She ended the afternoon with 10 rebounds, a team high.

The Demon Deacons won the rebounding battle, 45-41.

The Deacs also got contributions offensively from veterans Niyah Becker and Jewel Spear who each posted nine points. Additionally, the afternoon marked the debut for freshman guard Kate Deeble. She posted an assist in five minutes.

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 an early 6-0 lead behind back-to-back trey's from Olivia Summiel and Spear.
- Summiel's triple marked her second consecutive game with a three-pointer.
Virginia then responded with a 10-0 run before another Summiel three brought the Demon Deacons to within one (10-9).
After a Virginia layup extended the Cavalier lead to three, Niyah Becker found Summiel on a backdoor cut.
Shortly after, Summiel found Elise Williams open on the wing as Williams proceeded to bank in her third trey of the season.
Freshman Kate Deeble saw her first action as a Demon Deacon with 1:04 remaining in the first quarter.
- Deeble, a product of Brisbane, Australia, is the lone Wake Forest freshman on the roster.
The Demon Deacons held a 14-12 lead after the first 10 minutes of action.
- Wake Forest shot 4-of-6 from beyond the arc for the quarter.
- Additionally, the Deacs outrebounded the Cavaliers 13-8.
Summiel tallied eight points and four rebounds to lead the Deacs in the opening frame.
Virginia opened the second quarter on a 14-2 run before a Becker layup sparked a blistering 7-0 Demon Deacon run.
- Alyssa Andrews knocked down her fourth triple of the season.
- Andrews then found Spear on a backdoor cut for an open layup.
  - The Deacs 7-0 run made it a three point game (26-23).
Taylor Valladay of Virginia then knocked down two free throws to extend the Cavalier lead to five, but Williams responded with two free throws of her own to keep it a one-score game.
- The Deacs shot 100 percent from the free throw line in the first half.
Virginia took a 30-25 lead into the halftime break.
- Despite trailing at the half, Wake Forest held Virginia to 34.4 percent shooting from the field and 27.3 percent from three.
- The Demon Deacons also outrebounded the Cavaliers 23-20.
Summiel shot a perfect 3-for-3 from the field in the first half, including 2-of-2 from three-point range.
Virginia opened the second half scoring as Kaydan Lawson knocked down a corner three.
- The Cavaliers then extended their lead to 10 on a Mir Mclean layup (35-25).
  - Two free throws and another triple extended Virginia's lead to 15.
Williams scored the Demon Deacons first points of the third quarter as she made two free throws.
Spear then forced a Virginia turnover and found Becker for a transition layup.
The Cavaliers went on a 12-2 run to take a 23-point lead with 2:05 remaining in the third quarter.
- Spear made her first shot of the quarter at the 1:20 mark.
The Demon Deacons trailed 57-36 after the third frame.
- Wake Forest was outrebounded 14-6 for the quarter.
Scruggs made her first triple of the game to open the fourth quarter.
Spear made her first appearance at the charity stripe with five minutes remaining in the contest.
- The junior guard knocked down both free throws.
  - Spear made a career-high 11 free throws Thursday against East Carolina.
In the fourth quarter, the Demon Deacons outrebounded the Cavaliers, 16-7.
For the contest, Wake Forest assisted on 88 percent of its made baskets.
Virginia held on for a 72-52 victory over the Demon Deacons in the first ACC contest of the Megan Gebbia era.

STANDOUT STAT

Sophomore guard Elise Williams set a new career high in rebound on Sunday afternoon as the Raleigh, N.C. native finished the game with nine rebounds.
- This was nearly the first collegiate double-double for Williams.
- She led the Demon Deacons in scoring, rebounding and assists in the defeat Sunday while also posting a team-best 7-of-8 performance from the free throw line.

FROM GEBBIA

"The way they defended us impacted the game. We didn't run what we're supposed to be doing so in the big picture it looks that way. The offense is designed to get everyone shots and when we panic at times we look to get the ball to Jewel too much. Yet, we need to be able to get away from that and be okay with that to allow her to score hers when it's available instead of forcing it. That was a big part of the problem in the second half. The first half wasn't great, but we certainly fought back and Olivia really came out strong and that was nice to see. For the most part, we need to do a better job just executing our offense in general." - Coach Megan Gebbia

NEXT UP

After consecutive games on the road, the Demon Deacons return home on Thursday for the annual school day game with tipoff scheduled for 11 a.m. against Mercer. The game will also air on ACC Network Extra.

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

Elise Williams

Niyah Becker

Jewel Spear

Olivia Summiel

Wake Forest Athletics