Wake Forest University
BYU
Wake Forest Set to Participate in North Shore Showcase
11/17/2023 6:22:00 PM | Women's Basketball
For the second time in program history, the Wake Forest women’s basketball team travels to the islands of Hawaii and is set to play BYU and Saint Louis.
LAIE, Hawaii – Aloha, Deacon Nation! For the second time in program history, the Wake Forest women's basketball team travels to the islands of Hawaii and is set to play BYU on Saturday and Saint Louis on Monday from the BYU-Hawaii campus in Laie, Hawaii.
The Demon Deacons (1-2) will look to bounce back after close losses in the last two games of the season. Despite falling, the Deacs' defense has been thriving, allowing less than 60 points per game in each contest. So far this season, Graduate guard Kaia Harrison has been a consistent scorer for Wake Forest, netting double-figure points in each of three first three games including most recently scoring 10 points on Wednesday against NC A&T.
The Cougars (3-0) have been one of the better teams on the glass in the country through the early part of the season, pulling down 45.7 rebounds per game which ranks 43rd in the country and rank 12th nationally with a +18.0 rebounding margin per game. Additionally, they have been great on the defensive end of the floor, ranking 38th with just 51.0 points per game allowed and they shoot the ball efficiently from three, knocking down 40.4 percent of three which ranks 32nd in the country.
The Billikens (2-1) already have a Power-5 win under their belt as they defeated Missouri earlier this season. Prior to playing the Deacs on Monday, Saint Louis will have their first road test of the season when they play Chaminade Saturday night in Honolulu. The Billikens have gotten to the free throw line a bunch in the first three games, averaging 25.7 attempts per game which ranks in the top 25 and knocking down 20.0 free throws per game which is 11th nationally. Guard Julia Martinez ranks 23rd in the country with 6.3 assists per game.
Tipoff for Saturday is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. (ET) at George Q. Cannon Activities Center and Monday at 8:00 p.m. (ET).
For those not at the arena, fans can tune in to BYU TV for Saturday's game and Monday will not be broadcast. A live stats feed can be found here for Saturday and Monday's link to live stats will be sent out at a later date. You can also listen to both games on GoDeacs.com/Watch.
Fans can follow along via the Demon Deacons Twitter, Instagram and Facebook accounts (@WakeWBB).
Nearly Perfect at the Stripe
Graduate guard Kaia Harrison goes into Saturday with a perfect 13-for-14 from the free throw line. She ranks in the top 50 nationally in free throw percentage and fifth in the ACC.
Sørbye Signs
Last week, coach Megan Gebbia inked her first international signee in Norwegian guard Aurora Sørbye.
Sørbye has been an integral part of the Norwegian national system and has shined on the international stage during competitions over the last two years.
Sørbye led Norway on the international stage at both the 2023 U20 and U18 European Championships, finishing with double-digit points per game in both events while also leading Norway in assists.
She becomes the first Norwegian signee, the first European signee since 2021 and the 11th overall in program history.
Owning the Arc
Wake Forest has tallied 22 threes through the first two games of the season including finishing the win over Wofford and the loss to NC A&T with eight threes in the game.
Last season, the Deacs hit eight or more threes 13 different times. The Demon Deacons ended the season ranked third in the ACC with 6.7 threes made per game.
On the defensive side of the floor, Wake Forest limited opponents to just 28.5 percent shooting from behind the arc, ranking 56th in the country last season.
Overall as a team, this has been one of the best three-point shooting years in program history, knocking down a 223 threes which is second in program history
Rank Threes Made Season
1. 275 2004-05
2. 223 2022-23
3. 215 2005-06
4. 195 2021-22
5. 179 2008-09
The Demon Deacons have been one of the best teams in the ACC at shooting the three-point shot so far this season, knocking down 6.7 threes per game last season. This also ranks 106th nationally:
Rank Team Threes Made Per Game
1. Virginia Tech 7.8
2. Florida St. 7.0
3. Wake Forest 6.7
T4. Clemson 6.1
T4. North Carolina 6.1
T4. Pitt 6.1
In 2021-22, Megan Gebbia's American coached team was one of the best in the nation in three-point defense. The Eagles finished the season ranked third in the nation, allowing their opponents to shoot just 24.4 percent from behind the arc.
Freshman Phenom
In the Opening Night win over Wofford, Redshirt freshman guard Kate Deeble set a new career-highs with 19 points (8-of-16 shooting) and five rebounds in addition to two steals and an assist. Deeble connected on a team-high three triples.
Deeble was one of just three ACC freshmen to have 18 or more points in a game during the opening week of the season.
LAST TIME
Wake Forest vs. NC A&T (Nov. 15)
Result: L, 56-51
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Defensively, the Demon Deacons held the Aggies to just nine points in the first quarter (3-of-16 FG). It marked the first time this season Wake Forest held an opponent to a single-digit quarter. Additionally, North Carolina A&T's 25 points in the first half was its fewest in a half this season.
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Wake Forest forced 20 turnovers Wednesday night, the most they have forced in a game since the home meeting with Clemson on Feb. 5, 2023. It also marked the most turnovers forced against a non-conference opponent since High Point last December.
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Individually, the Deacs were led by junior forward Alyssa Andrews who tallied a season-high 12 points, along with five boards. Of note, her 12 points are the most she's scored in a game since March 17, 2022 against Akron in the NIT.
SERIES HISTORY
Versus BYU
Series: First matchup in series history
Versus Saint Louis
Series: First matchup in series history
Season Tickets On Sale Now
Claim your spot in Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum for what is shaping up to be another exciting season for Megan Gebbia's second season with the Demon Deacons! Season tickets for 2023-24 Wake Forest women's basketball season tickets are now open at GoDeacs.com/tickets with tickets starting at $60.
Along with your purchase of a women's basketball season ticket package this season there are many added benefits exclusive only to those who buy season tickets. Admission to all 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 The 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 video board graphics made for them as well
Go to GoDeacs.com/Tickets or call the ticket office at 336-758-3322 for more information.
Sunday Four-Packs Available Now
Sunday four-packs are available for six games for the upcoming 2023-24 season including four ACC home matchups at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. A four-pack includes four tickets and four popcorn vouchers for just $28. The games with four-packs available:
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Sunday, Nov. 26 vs. Villanova
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Sunday, Dec. 10 vs. Norfolk State
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Sunday, Jan. 21 vs. Notre Dame
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Sunday, Feb. 4 vs. Georgia Tech
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Sunday, Feb. 11 vs. Virginia
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Sunday, Feb. 18 vs. North Carolina
Go to GoDeacs.com/Tickets or call the ticket office at 336-758-3322
Non-Conference Single-Game Tickets On-Sale Now
Your first opportunity to see this season's Demon Deacons are right around the corner single-game tickets for all seven of the non-conference home games are set to be on sale now!
Go to GoDeacs.com/Tickets or call the ticket office at 336-758-3322
UP NEXT
After traveling back from Hawaii, the Demon Deacons are set to host 2022-23 Big East runner-up Villanova Sunday afternoon at noon ET at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
For those who cannot attend, the game will air on ACC Network.
