Wake Forest University
2-5,0-0ACC
Texas A&M
6-1,0-0SEC
Deacs Battle with Texas A&M in Inaugural ACC/SEC Challenge
12/1/2023 12:41:00 AM | Women's Basketball
The Demon Deacons will travel to face James Madison Sunday at 4 p.m.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Wake Forest women's basketball team fell to Texas A&M, 81-57, in the inaugural ACC/SEC Challenge Thursday evening at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
Overall, the ACC/SEC Challenge was tied 7-7 and was 14-14 across both the men's and women's challenge combined.
The Demon Deacons (2-5) were led by senior guard Alexandria Scruggs, who finished the contest with 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting (60 percent) in addition to a team-high five rebounds. It was her first game with double-digit points this season as well as her first time leading the team in scoring.
She finished one point shy of her career high set during the 2020-21 season at North Carolina. Additionally, she is the seventh different leading scorer for the Deacs in seven games played this season.
Freshman guard Riley Theuerkauf set a new career-high with 12 points on 4-of-8 (50 percent), shooting with a pair of three pointers in just nine minutes of action. Seven of her 12 points came in the fourth quarter. It marked her first-career game with double-digit points and was the second Wake Forest freshman this season to do so.
As a team, the Deacs forced the Aggies (6-1) to 12 turnovers Thursday night, as Wake Forest extended its streak of seven-consecutive games with double-digit forced turnovers and has now forced 116 turnovers over the first seven games for an average of 16.6 per game.
Wake Forest recorded 15 assists on 21 made baskets (71.4 percent). So far this season, the Deacs have assisted 90 of 155 made field goals (58.1 percent).
The Aggies were held to just four three pointers (on 17 attempts), which is tied for the fewest as a team this season. Additionally, it marked the fourth time this season the Demon Deacons held an opponent to under five made three pointers.
An exciting season awaits at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum for 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 $60 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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After winning the opening tipoff, Wake Forest opened the scoring 23 seconds into the contest on an Alexandria Scruggs layup.
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Scruggs scored again 38 seconds later to give the Deacs a 4-0 lead.
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Defensively, Wake Forest held Texas A&M to 0-of-8 shooting to open the contest.
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Elise Williams knocked down a pair of free throws to extend Wake Forest's lead to 6-2.
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After an ensuing 8-3 Texas A&M run, Kaia Harrison drove to the basket and converted an and-one.
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The Aggies held an 18-16 lead at the end of the opening frame.
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Wake Forest was led individually by Scruggs who tallied a game-high 11 points.
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The two sides traded baskets to open the second quarter.
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At the 6:41 mark, Rylie Theuerkauf drained a triple from the right wing to bring Wake Forest within four (27-23).
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Texas A&M went on a 7-0 run to take a 40-26 lead, before a Raegyn Conley corner three.
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The Demon Deacons faced a 42-29 deficit at the halftime break.
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The Aggies opened the second half outscoring the Demon Deacons 11-3.
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Scruggs notched five points in the third quarter, shooting 2-of-4 from the field.
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Wake Forest trailed 62-41 after 30 minutes of action.
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Kate Deeble opened the final period finishing a layup and forcing a Texas A&M turnover.
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Theuerkauf tied her career high with just over four minutes remaining in the contest when she knocked down a three-pointer from the left wing.
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Texas A&M held on to defeat the Demon Deacons 81-57 in the inaugural ACC/SEC Challenge.
Standout Stats
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With 12 forced turnovers against the Aggies, the Deacs have forced double-digit turnovers in every game this season and have turned over opponents 116 times in seven games.
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The average of 16.6 turnovers forced per game which is an increase from last year's 14.4 turnovers forced per game.
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Wake Forest recorded an assist on 15 of its 21 baskets (71.4 percent).
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This season, the Deacs have assisted 90 of 155 made field goals (58.1 percent).
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From Gebbia
"The positive was we had 15 assists on 21 made field goals. It was great to see Alex step up today and really set the tone for us on the offensive end of the floor with her 11 points in the first quarter. We needed to do a better job of stopping drivers and packing the paint on the defensive end of the floor. We needed to force them to take more threes. The best thing we can do is get into the film room and learn from this one and then apply the things we learned into practice tomorrow. We need to see this game for what it was in order for us to go forward. Good thing is we have another one on Sunday and we have a chance to bounce back soon. Going on the road is never easy and we will need to come ready to go to win." - Coach Megan Gebbia
Next Up
After two games at home, Wake Forest is back on the road Sunday afternoon when the Deacs travel north to Harrisonburg, Va. to take on James Madison.
The 4:00 p.m. ET tipoff can also be seen on ESPN+.
Claim Your Spot for the 2023-24 Season
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.
