Wake Forest Athletics
Sunday, December 31
Tallahassee, FL
Noon
Wake Forest University
at
Florida State
Deacs Open ACC Play at No. 22 Florida State
12/30/2023 6:53:00 PM | Women's Basketball
After closing non-conference with wins in two of the last three games, Wake Forest is scheduled to open conference play Sunday afternoon at No. 23 Florida State.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Wake Forest women's basketball team opens Atlantic Coast Conference play Sunday afternoon against No. 22 Florida State in Tallahassee, Fla.
The Demon Deacons (4-8, 0-0 ACC) have navigated one of the most difficult non-conference slates, as the Deacs' average opponent NET ranks 26th nationally. Wake Forest finished the non-conference on a high note, winning two of the last three games and capturing back-to-back games at home. The Demon Deacons will look to win their first road ACC games in the Gebbia era and start 1-0 on the road in conference play for the first time since the 2017-18 season when the Deacs opened conference play with a win at Pitt. Additionally, the Deacs will be in search of their first ranked win since the 2020-21 season when they defeated No. 24 Missouri State on Nov. 29. The last ranked win on the road came at No. 15/18 NC State on Feb. 19, 2017.
The nationally-ranked Seminoles (10-3, 1-0 ACC) have won the last three games including Friday afternoon in their ACC opener against Georgia Tech, 95-80. Florida State has done an elite job of protecting the basketball this season, ranking seventh nationally with just 11.2 turnovers per game. Additionally, the Noles have a high-powered offense, averaging 86.0 points per game which is 11th in the country and second in the ACC. They also lead the league in three-point percentage. Sophomore guard Ta'Niya Latson ranks 25th nationally and third in the ACC with 20.1 points per game while also leading the league in free throw attempts.
Tipoff for Sunday is scheduled for Noon (ET) at Donald L. Tucker Civic Center.
For those not at the arena, fans can tune in to ACC Network for Sunday's game. A live stats feed can be found here for Sunday. You can also listen to the game on GoDeacs.com/Watch.
Fans can follow along via the Demon Deacons Twitter, Instagram and Facebook accounts (@WakeWBB).
ASSISTS ON MADE BASKETS
The Demon Deacons recorded 13 assists on 24 made baskets (54.2 percent) against Marshall.
It marked the eighth-consecutive game in which the Deacs recorded at least 10 assists and 10th time overall.
This season, the Deacs have assisted 148 of 252 made field goals (58.7 percent).
FORCING TURNOVERS
The Deacs had 11 steals overall against Georgetown which was the fourth time this season they have forced double-digit steals and the first time since the win over Saint Louis in Hawaii.
The Deacs have forced double-digit turnovers in every game this season and have turned over opponents 184 times in 12 games.
Against Villanova, the Demon Deacons turned the Wildcats over a season-high 10 times in the game as Villanova came into the contest second in the country in assist-to-turnover ratio.
Prior to that, Wake Forest forced 19 Saint Louis turnovers, the second-most the Billikens had committed in a single game this season and it resulted in 20 points on the other end for the Demon Deacons.
In the Deacs' game against BYU, they forced 26 turnovers, marking the most since January 22, 2017 against Georgia Tech when the Demon Deacons also forced 26 turnovers in the game. Additionally, it was the first time since December 18 and 21, 2017 against Charlotte and College of Charleston that Wake Forest has produced 20 or more opponent turnovers in back-to-back games. It marked the first time since March 16, 2017 (Washington State) that a Power-5 team had forced BYU into 26 or more turnovers.
FROM THE LINE
Graduate guard Kaia Harrison went perfect at the free throw line against Marshall, knocking down 1-of-1 from the stripe. Overall this season, Harrison is 45-of-51 (88.0 pct.), ranking fourth in the ACC and 37th nationally in free throw percentage.
As a team, Wake Forest went 13-of-16 (81.3 percent) from the free throw line against Norfolk State, the third-highest percentage of the season and third time the Deacs finished above 80 percent. Through 11 games this season, the Demon Deacons have seen a massive uptick in free throw shooting percentage, going from 66.0 percent (343-of-520) last season to 73.5 percent (122-of-126) this season.
Wake Forest is totaling 11.1 free throws made per game this year compared to last year's 10.1 free throws made per game.
COWLES GETS IT GOING
Redshirt sophomore forward Malaya Cowles went a perfect 5-of-5 from the floor as she finished with 11 points, two rebounds and two steals against Marshall.
Cowles holds a .672 shooting percentage (39-of-58) while inside LJVM Coliseum this season:
SCRUGGS CONTINUES TO SHINE
Alexandria Scruggs posted a season-high 12 boards against Marshall, the most she's recorded since the 13 against Florida in the NIT last season (3/20/23). Scruggs also tied for the team-lead with a plus/minus of plus-15.
LAST TIME
Wake Forest vs. Marshall (Dec. 21)
Result: W, 66-59
Versus Florida State
Series: Florida State leads 35-20
Last Time: March 2, 2023
Result: W, 65-54
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:
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:
UP NEXT
The Demon Deacons return home to open up the New Year against nationally-ranked Virginia Tech on Thursday night.
The 6:00 p.m. tipoff at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum can also be seen on ACC Network Extra.
The Demon Deacons (4-8, 0-0 ACC) have navigated one of the most difficult non-conference slates, as the Deacs' average opponent NET ranks 26th nationally. Wake Forest finished the non-conference on a high note, winning two of the last three games and capturing back-to-back games at home. The Demon Deacons will look to win their first road ACC games in the Gebbia era and start 1-0 on the road in conference play for the first time since the 2017-18 season when the Deacs opened conference play with a win at Pitt. Additionally, the Deacs will be in search of their first ranked win since the 2020-21 season when they defeated No. 24 Missouri State on Nov. 29. The last ranked win on the road came at No. 15/18 NC State on Feb. 19, 2017.
The nationally-ranked Seminoles (10-3, 1-0 ACC) have won the last three games including Friday afternoon in their ACC opener against Georgia Tech, 95-80. Florida State has done an elite job of protecting the basketball this season, ranking seventh nationally with just 11.2 turnovers per game. Additionally, the Noles have a high-powered offense, averaging 86.0 points per game which is 11th in the country and second in the ACC. They also lead the league in three-point percentage. Sophomore guard Ta'Niya Latson ranks 25th nationally and third in the ACC with 20.1 points per game while also leading the league in free throw attempts.
Tipoff for Sunday is scheduled for Noon (ET) at Donald L. Tucker Civic Center.
For those not at the arena, fans can tune in to ACC Network for Sunday's game. A live stats feed can be found here for Sunday. You can also listen to the game on GoDeacs.com/Watch.
Fans can follow along via the Demon Deacons Twitter, Instagram and Facebook accounts (@WakeWBB).
ASSISTS ON MADE BASKETS
The Demon Deacons recorded 13 assists on 24 made baskets (54.2 percent) against Marshall.
It marked the eighth-consecutive game in which the Deacs recorded at least 10 assists and 10th time overall.
This season, the Deacs have assisted 148 of 252 made field goals (58.7 percent).
FORCING TURNOVERS
The Deacs had 11 steals overall against Georgetown which was the fourth time this season they have forced double-digit steals and the first time since the win over Saint Louis in Hawaii.
The Deacs have forced double-digit turnovers in every game this season and have turned over opponents 184 times in 12 games.
Against Villanova, the Demon Deacons turned the Wildcats over a season-high 10 times in the game as Villanova came into the contest second in the country in assist-to-turnover ratio.
Prior to that, Wake Forest forced 19 Saint Louis turnovers, the second-most the Billikens had committed in a single game this season and it resulted in 20 points on the other end for the Demon Deacons.
In the Deacs' game against BYU, they forced 26 turnovers, marking the most since January 22, 2017 against Georgia Tech when the Demon Deacons also forced 26 turnovers in the game. Additionally, it was the first time since December 18 and 21, 2017 against Charlotte and College of Charleston that Wake Forest has produced 20 or more opponent turnovers in back-to-back games. It marked the first time since March 16, 2017 (Washington State) that a Power-5 team had forced BYU into 26 or more turnovers.
FROM THE LINE
Graduate guard Kaia Harrison went perfect at the free throw line against Marshall, knocking down 1-of-1 from the stripe. Overall this season, Harrison is 45-of-51 (88.0 pct.), ranking fourth in the ACC and 37th nationally in free throw percentage.
As a team, Wake Forest went 13-of-16 (81.3 percent) from the free throw line against Norfolk State, the third-highest percentage of the season and third time the Deacs finished above 80 percent. Through 11 games this season, the Demon Deacons have seen a massive uptick in free throw shooting percentage, going from 66.0 percent (343-of-520) last season to 73.5 percent (122-of-126) this season.
Wake Forest is totaling 11.1 free throws made per game this year compared to last year's 10.1 free throws made per game.
COWLES GETS IT GOING
Redshirt sophomore forward Malaya Cowles went a perfect 5-of-5 from the floor as she finished with 11 points, two rebounds and two steals against Marshall.
Cowles holds a .672 shooting percentage (39-of-58) while inside LJVM Coliseum this season:
- 8-of-12 vs. Wofford
- 2-of-2 vs. NC A&T
- 10-of-13 vs. Villanova
- 2-of-4 vs. Texas A&M
- 9-of-13 vs. Charlotte
- 3-of-9 vs. Norfolk State
- 5-of-5 vs. Marshall
SCRUGGS CONTINUES TO SHINE
Alexandria Scruggs posted a season-high 12 boards against Marshall, the most she's recorded since the 13 against Florida in the NIT last season (3/20/23). Scruggs also tied for the team-lead with a plus/minus of plus-15.
LAST TIME
Wake Forest vs. Marshall (Dec. 21)
Result: W, 66-59
- The Demon Deacons held Marshall to their lowest point total of the season, limiting the Thundering Herd 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.
Versus Florida State
Series: Florida State leads 35-20
Last Time: March 2, 2023
Result: W, 65-54
- Wake Forest recorded the second-largest halftime comeback in ACC Tournament history on March 2, 2023, as the Demon Deacons rallied from 18 down at the break to earn a 65-54 victory over the Seminoles in the second round.
- The Demon Deacons outscored the Seminoles, 29-8, in the third quarter, erasing a second-round record 18-point halftime deficit in the process. The Deacs finished the quarter on an 18-0 run. The run continued into the fourth quarter as the Deacs went on a 26-0 run to grab full control of the game.
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
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:
- Sunday, Jan. 21 vs. Notre Dame
- Sunday, Feb. 4 vs. Georgia Tech
- Sunday, Feb. 11 vs. Virginia
- Sunday, Feb. 18 vs. North Carolina
UP NEXT
The Demon Deacons return home to open up the New Year against nationally-ranked Virginia Tech on Thursday night.
The 6:00 p.m. tipoff at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum can also be seen on ACC Network Extra.
Players Mentioned
Forward
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
/ Women's BasketballMen's Basketball Postgame Presser vs. Clemson, 2026 ACC Tournament
Thursday, March 12
Wake Forest Women's Basketball: Marcy Carter Women's History Month Feature
Wednesday, March 11
Sebastian Akins Tough
Wednesday, March 11
Wake Forest Advances in 2026 ACC Tournament
Wednesday, March 11