Wake Forest University
1-0,0-0ACC
Elon
0-1,0-0CAA
Fast Start Propels Wake Forest Past Elon in Gebbia’s Regular Season Debut
11/7/2022 8:24:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Demon Deacons had four players in double figures including a career-high tying 15 points from senior guard Kaia Harrison.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- In the first regular season game with head coach Megan Gebbia at the helm, the Wake Forest women's basketball team defeated in-state foe Elon, 76-56, Monday evening at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
The Demon Deacons (1-0) jumped out to an 18-6 lead over the Phoenix (0-1) to open the contest and never looked back en route to the 20-point victory as four Deacs finished in double-figures.
Wake Forest was led by preseason All-ACC selection and the league's returning scorer, Jewel Spear. The junior guard netted 23 points while shooting 6-of-11 from the field and 4-for-8 from beyond the arc. Additionally, The Colony, Texas native shot 7-for-7 from the charity stripe.
Senior guard Kaia Harrison tied her career-high with 15 points and shot an efficient 7-of-11 from the floor in her 22nd-career start.
Joining Spear and Harrison in double figures were Alexandria Scruggs and Alyssa Andrews with 11 points apiece.
As a team, the Demon Deacons shot 48.3 percent and 31 percent from beyond-the-arc. The team also assisted on 18 of the 29 made field goals.
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
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Elon jumped out to a 4-0 lead, but a quick 10-0 run, which included two Spear three pointers, put the Demon Deacons up six with 5:55 remaining in the first quarter.
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Harrison and Scruggs each scored their first points of the season on layups during the run.
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Andrews opened her account on the season with a tough layup through contact to score the Demon Deacons 16th-straight and extend the lead to 12.
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She would later knock down a corner three with 29 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
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Wake Forest led at the end of the first quarter, 21-8, and shot 56.3 percent from the floor while holding Elon to 18.3 percent.
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The Demon Deacons forced six turnovers and blocked a couple of shots in the first period of play.
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Harrison ended a 6-0 Elon run to start the second quarter following a nice pass into the paint courtesy of Williams.
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Hinds scored her first points of the contest with a second-chance layup following the team's sixth offensive rebound of the game with 4:56 to go in the second quarter.
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Spear scored six points in less than a minute of action with a converted and-one and a three pointer to give the Demon Deacons a 16-point advantage.
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Wake Forest went into the locker room with a 38-23 lead.
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Spear led the Demon Deacons with 14 points on 4-for-8 shooting (3-for-6 from three) and was a team-high +19.
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Wake had a 20-8 advantage in the paint with 10 second-chance points on eight offensive rebounds. Additionally, the Demon Deacons recorded 16 points off turnovers in the first half.
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Wake Forest opened the second half with four quick points courtesy of a Spear jumper and a Harrison layup on a fast break.
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Hinds made an impact on the offensive glass once again as she made a putback layup at the 6:36 mark.
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Spear hit a corner three off a Williams assist on a fast break to give the Demon Deacons a 22-point lead with 5:09 to go in the third.
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Williams knocked down her first three of the season off of a Scruggs assist at the 2:05 mark.
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Wake Forest went 8-for-14 from the floor in the third quarter and went into the final period of play up 58-37.
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Summiel made a jump shot at the 9:06 mark in the fourth quarter for her first points of the contest.
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Scruggs reached double-digit scoring after a corner three following a pass out by Andrews.
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Morales made a tough driving layup for her first basket of the game with 3:30 remaining.
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Andrews closed out the scoring with a couple of three pointers in the final two minutes to become the fourth Demon Deacon in double-digits.
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The Deacs claimed a 20-point victory over Elon to open up the Megan Gebbia era.
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STANDOUT STAT
The Demon Deacons scored 24 points (36 percent) off turnovers. Wake Forest forced the Phoenix into 15 total turnovers during the contest. Scruggs, Williams and Harrison had two steals apiece, while Spear and Hinds recorded one as well.
FROM GEBBIA
"It's always good to get the first one. We got off to a good start in the first quarter and again in the third quarter. There are some areas that we still need to clean up, especially closing out the game. Our goal was to hold them to 50 points and we nearly did that. I like that we got four players in double figures and Kaia tied her career high with 15 points. She did a great job attacking when she had the opportunity to. We need to continue to improve and we'll get back at it Wednesday at practice." - Coach Megan Gebbia
NEXT UP
The 1-0 Demon Deacons will hit the road for the first time this season as they take on East Carolina on Thursday, Nov. 10.
Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. in Greenville and the game will be streamed on ESPN+.
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:
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A lunch opportunity with the Wake Forest women's basketball team
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Only season ticket holders can sit in floor level seats
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Access to Blue Ridge Room for free light refreshments and snacks before and during each home game
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"Season Ticket Holder of the Game"
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A season ticket holder will be recognized at each game
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They will be brought onto the floor during a quarter break or timeout to be recognized
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They will be presented with a signed picture of the team
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They will also have videoboard graphics made for them as well
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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.
