Fourth Quarter Surge Lifts Wake Forest Past Marshall, 66-59
12/21/2023 3:21:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Four Demon Deacons scored in double figures while holding Marshall to a season-low 59 points en route to the second-consecutive win at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Behind a balanced scoring effort and stingy defense, the Wake Forest women's basketball team ended the non-conference slate with a 66-59 victory over Marshall Thursday at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
The Demon Deacons (4-8) held Marshall to their lowest point total of the season, limiting the Thundering Herd (6-5) to just 59 points and ending their four-game winning streak. Additionally, the 31.4 field goal percentage was the third-lowest this season and was just the third time this season that Marshall was held below 40.0 pct. shooting.
Four separate Demon Deacons recorded double-digit points on Thursday: junior guard Elise Williams (12 points), graduate guard Kaia Harrison (11 points), junior forward Raegyn Conely (11 points) and redshirt sophomore forward Malaya Cowles (11 points).
This is the first time this season that four different starters had double-digit points in the same game. All nine players that played more than two minutes scored and had at least one rebound while eight of the nine had at least one assist.
The Deacs finished the game with 46 rebounds, the most this season. Wake Forest also recorded 36 defensive rebounds against Marshall, the most this season.
Against Marshall's 30 rebounds, the Deacs posted their highest rebound differential of the season (+16) and the second time this season Wake Forest has been +10 or better on the boards (Wofford, +11).
Graduate guard/forward Alexandria Scruggs and forward Alyssa Andrews led the effort on the glass, both pulling down double-digit rebounds. Scruggs' 12 boards were one shy of her career high while Andrew's 10 rebounds were her highest total since 11 against South Carolina State on Dec. 15, 2021.
Wake Forest posted seven blocks in the game against Marshall, the most this season and most since the game against Florida State last season in the ACC Tournament. Conley led the effort with three blocks, tying the highest total by any Demon Deacon this season.
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
From Gebbia
"We matured today because we were behind, made plays when we needed to and had stops at the end. For the most part, we were controlled and got the shots that we needed to. I am proud of this group and this was a tough team to beat. This was a hard schedule to get through and you could really see that pay off today and we grew throughout this game and non-conference. We had four in double figures which was big. Alex and Alyssa did a great job on the glass and overall we did a great job in that category. We did a great job navigating the havoc that they were trying to create. We held them to their lowest point total of the season and just 31 percent shooting from the field. It was big to get this one going into the break and to end non-conference the right way. Now, we have to continue to build on this going into ACC play." - Megan Gebbia
Next Up
The Demon Deacons open ACC play on Sunday, Dec. 31, traveling to Florida State. The game is slated to begin at noon on ACC Network.
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:
The Demon Deacons (4-8) held Marshall to their lowest point total of the season, limiting the Thundering Herd (6-5) to just 59 points and ending their four-game winning streak. Additionally, the 31.4 field goal percentage was the third-lowest this season and was just the third time this season that Marshall was held below 40.0 pct. shooting.
Four separate Demon Deacons recorded double-digit points on Thursday: junior guard Elise Williams (12 points), graduate guard Kaia Harrison (11 points), junior forward Raegyn Conely (11 points) and redshirt sophomore forward Malaya Cowles (11 points).
This is the first time this season that four different starters had double-digit points in the same game. All nine players that played more than two minutes scored and had at least one rebound while eight of the nine had at least one assist.
The Deacs finished the game with 46 rebounds, the most this season. Wake Forest also recorded 36 defensive rebounds against Marshall, the most this season.
Against Marshall's 30 rebounds, the Deacs posted their highest rebound differential of the season (+16) and the second time this season Wake Forest has been +10 or better on the boards (Wofford, +11).
Graduate guard/forward Alexandria Scruggs and forward Alyssa Andrews led the effort on the glass, both pulling down double-digit rebounds. Scruggs' 12 boards were one shy of her career high while Andrew's 10 rebounds were her highest total since 11 against South Carolina State on Dec. 15, 2021.
Wake Forest posted seven blocks in the game against Marshall, the most this season and most since the game against Florida State last season in the ACC Tournament. Conley led the effort with three blocks, tying the highest total by any Demon Deacon this season.
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
- Wake Forest won the opening tip-off and immediately opened the scoring as Malaya Cowles found Alexandria Scruggs cutting to the basket.
- After a Cowles layup gave the Demon Deacons a 4-0 advantage, Marshall scored six unanswered to take its first lead of the contest.
- The two sides then traded three's heading into the under-five media timeout.
- The Thundering Herd went on a 8-3 spurt to close the opening frame to take a 17-10 lead.
- The Deacs were led by Madisyn Jordan in the first half as she recorded five points on 2-of-3 shooting from the floor.
- The two teams exchanged field goals to start the second period before four-straight free throws extended Marshall's advantage to nine with 6:25 minutes left in the half.
- Wake Forest responded, scoring eight-straight to make it a one-point game with just under four minutes left in the second quarter.
- After a Marshall layup, Rylie Theurekauf converted an and-one to tie the game at 25.
- Marshall held a 31-28 lead at the halftime break.
- Raegyn Conley and Cowles scored six points apiece in the first half.
- As a team, the Deacs outrebounded the Thundering Herd, 23-15.
- Wake Forest came out aggressive, going on a 4-1 spurt to open the third quarter.
- The two sides traded baskets for the following four minutes of play, before four unanswered from Marshall gave the Thundering Herd a 43-40 lead.
- Theurekauf evened the ledger second later as she drained a triple from the left corner.
- Marshall took a 47-45 advantage into the final period.
- After a Cowles layup tied it up at 49, the Herd went on a 6-2 stretch to go up 55-51.
- Conley then made a pair of free throws, narrowing the Deacs' deficit to two.
- An Elise Williams free throw, followed by a Conley layup gave the Demon Deacons their first lead of the fourth quarter (56-55).
- Marshall then made a free throw, but Wake Forest went on an ensuing 9-3 run.
- The Demon Deacons held on to defeat the Thundering Herd, 66-59, for their second-consecutive home victory.
- The Deacs finished the game with 46 rebounds, the most this season and the most since the Season Opener against Wofford:
- Wake Forest also recorded 36 defensive rebounds against Marshall, the most this season since 31 rebounds against James Madison.
- Against Marshall's 30 rebounds the Deacs posted their highest rebound differential of the season (+16) and the second time this season Wake Forest has been +10 or better on the boards (Wofford, +11).
- Three separate Demon Deacons recorded five or more rebounds Thursday.
- Alexandria Scruggs - 12 rebounds
- Alyssa Andrews - 10 rebounds
- Raegyn Conley - seven rebounds
- Wake Forest finished the game with 10 offensive rebounds, the fifth-highest mark this season and the most since Opening Night against Wofford:
- 15 vs. Wofford
- 14 at Georgetown
- 12 vs. BYU
- 11 at Davidson
- 10 vs. Norfolk State
- 10 vs. Marshall
From Gebbia
"We matured today because we were behind, made plays when we needed to and had stops at the end. For the most part, we were controlled and got the shots that we needed to. I am proud of this group and this was a tough team to beat. This was a hard schedule to get through and you could really see that pay off today and we grew throughout this game and non-conference. We had four in double figures which was big. Alex and Alyssa did a great job on the glass and overall we did a great job in that category. We did a great job navigating the havoc that they were trying to create. We held them to their lowest point total of the season and just 31 percent shooting from the field. It was big to get this one going into the break and to end non-conference the right way. Now, we have to continue to build on this going into ACC play." - Megan Gebbia
Next Up
The Demon Deacons open ACC play on Sunday, Dec. 31, traveling to Florida State. The game is slated to begin at noon on ACC Network.
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:
- A lunch opportunity with the Wake Forest women's basketball team
- Only season ticket holders can sit in floor level seats
- Access to The 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 video board graphics made for them as well
Players Mentioned
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