Wake Forest Falls to Charlotte

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Wake Forest women's basketball team dropped a hard-fought battle inside LJVM Coliseum, 69-58, to Charlotte Thursday night.

The Demon Deacons (2-7) forced 19 turnovers against the 49ers (6-4). The Deacs have forced double-digit turnovers in every game this season and have turned over opponents 147 times in nine games. Additionally, the average of 16.3 turnovers forced per game is an increase from last year's 14.4 turnovers forced per game. Of note, Charlotte's 19 turnovers are the third most it has had in a game this season.

Redshirt sophomore forward Malaya Cowles led the team with 18 points on an efficient 9-of-13 mark from the floor in addition to a season-high eight rebounds. Cowles holds a .705 shooting percentage (31-of-44) while inside LJVM Coliseum this season.

Cowles came out red hot in the third quarter, scoring 10 of her 18 points in the 10-minute stretch. She shot 5-of-6 from the field in the third while also grabbing four of her eight rebounds.

Junior guard Elise Williams had another strong offensive performance with 16 points in addition to a team-high five assists and a steal. The Raleigh native went 6-of-7 (.857) from the free throw line.

Graduate guard Kaia Harrison continued her strong season at the free throw line as she posted a 5-of-6 clip from the charity stripe. She finished the game with 11 total points, four assists and tied a career high with four steals. Harrison entered the contest ranked fourth in the ACC in free throw percentage at 87.1 percent. As a team, Wake Forest knocked down 11-of-13 shots at the stripe and are shooting 73.5 percent as a team this season, an improvement of 7.5 percent from a season ago.

Junior forward Raegyn Conley earned her first-career start and hauled in four rebounds in addition to three points.

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

Kaia Harrison opened the scoring one minute into the contest when she drained a pair of free throws.
- Charlotte responded on the ensuing possession, knocking down a mid-range jumper.
- Raegyn Conley then made a triple, giving the Deacs a 5-2 advantage.
Both sides traded field goals over the following three minutes as the score was tied (12-12) with just under five minutes remaining in the opening frame.
Charlotte scored four unanswered before an Elise Williams three and an Alyssa Andrews layup gave Wake Forest the lead.
The Demon Deacons held a 17-16 advantage after 10 minutes of play.
- Offensively, the Deacs were led by Williams, who notched six points on 2-of-3 shooting from the field.
Charlotte opened the second period on a 14-4 run.
- Harrison made a pair of free throws to bring the Deacs within seven with just over two minutes left in the half.
The 49ers took a 32-27 lead into the halftime break.
- Williams tallied 10 points during the first 20 minutes of action.
Charlotte opened the third quarter on a 9-0 run, forcing a Wake Forest timeout.
The Demon Deacons responded with a 7-2 spurt behind three field goals from Malaya Cowles.
The two sides exchanged field goals over the ensuing three minutes, before the Deacs went on an 11-2 run to close the third period.
- Cowles, Scruggs and Williams combined to score nine of the Demon Deacons' 11 points during the run.
Wake Forest trailed 49-47 going into the final frame.
- Cowles paced the Deacs with 10 points in the third quarter on 5-of-6 shooting from the field.
After a Charlotte layup opened the fourth quarter scoring 21 seconds into the period, Harrison knocked down a floater 18 seconds later.
The two teams traded baskets, before Charlotte made two-consecutive, taking a 58-53 lead with just over four minutes left.
The 49ers outscored the Demon Deacons 8-4 over the following three minutes and held a 66-57 lead with 38 seconds remaining.
Charlotte defeated Wake Forest, 69-58.

Standout Stats

With 19 forced turnovers against the 49ers, the Deacs have forced double-digit turnovers in every game this season and have turned over opponents 147 times in nine games.

The average of 16.3 turnovers forced per game is an increase from last year's 14.4 turnovers forced per game.
Charlotte's 19 turnovers are the third most it has had in a game this season.

The Demon Deacons recorded 14 assists on 22 made baskets (63.6 percent) against the 49ers.
- It marked the fifth-consecutive game in which the Deacs recorded at least 10 assists and seventh time overall.

From Gebbia
"We're not there yet. I thought we executed very well in the second half. We were able to get inside in the second half. Elise I am happy for her to get double-figures in her second-straight game. We had three players finish with double-digit points. Post defense could have been better and we need to be better in some of our situational defense. What I am proud of is that we didn't hang our heads. Even when we were down 14 in the second half, we had so much fight. Our next step is to learn how to finish games. We may need to mix some things up in practice to train that. Losing sucks but there must be a reason that we are going through this and we need to fix that. We were reactionary defensively and we needed to play hard without fouling. Now we need to put some of the positives on offense and defense together starting on Sunday. The breakthrough is on the other side and it sucks and hurts that we are going through this but I have faith in this group." - Megan Gebbia
Next Up
The Demon Deacons remain home for a Sunday matinee contest at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum against Norfolk State.

The 2:00 p.m. tipoff can also be seen on ACC Network Extra.

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

Go to GoDeacs.com/Tickets or call the ticket office at 336-758-3322 for more information.

Next Event

Team Stats

Malaya Cowles

Elise Williams

Kaia Harrison

Alexandria Scruggs

Players Mentioned

Alyssa Andrews

Raegyn Conley

Malaya Cowles

Kaia Harrison

Elise Williams

Wake Forest Athletics