Wake Forest Falls to Syracuse

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Despite a strong defensive performance in the first half, the Wake Forest women's basketball team dropped a 77-56 decision to Syracuse inside Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum Thursday afternoon.

The Demon Deacons (4-12, 0-4 ACC) had all 11 players see the floor against the Orange (13-2, 3-1 ACC) for the second-consecutive contest. Defensively, the Deacs held the Orange to just 14 first-quarter points, tied for the second-fewest by the team this season. Additionally, 30 first-half points also marks the second-fewest tally for Syracuse this campaign.

Offensively, the Deacs knocked down eight three-pointers on 21 attempts (38.1 percent), tied for the second-most in a game this season as well as the second-highest percentage from beyond the arc. Individually, junior guard Reagyn Conley and freshman guard Kate Deeble knocked down two apiece.

Redshirt sophomore forward Malaya Cowles led the team with 13 points on 6-of-11 shooting in addition to five rebounds. It marked her seventh game of the season with 10-or-more points. Of note, Cowles holds a .657 shooting percentage (46-of-70) while inside LJVM Coliseum this season.

In the backcourt, junior Elise Williams and graduate Kaia Harrison combined for 15 points and 10 assists, while freshman Makaela Quimby knocked down her first-career field goal with a triple late in the fourth quarter.

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

Syracuse opened the scoring at the 9:04 mark, before a Kaia Harrison jumper evened the ledger at two.
- Malaya Cowles then finished a layup, giving the Demon Deacons a 4-2 lead.
The two sides then traded field goals, before heading into the under-five media timeout, tied 7-7.
Syracuse scored five unanswered, before Elise Williams knocked down a pair of free throws.
The Orange held a 14-9 lead after 10 minutes of action.
- Raegyn Conley led the Deacs, tallying three points and two rebounds in the opening period.
Syracuse went on a 10-0 run to start the second quarter, before a Conley triple opened the Demon Deacons' scoring.
- Conley's three sparked a 10-1 Wake Forest run over the next two minutes of play.
Syracuse held a 30-21 lead at the halftime break.
- Defensively, the Demon Deacons forced seven turnovers in the first half.
The two teams traded baskets to open the third quarter as Cowles scored five points over the first 90 seconds of the period.
The Orange held a 42-27 advantage with just under six minutes left in the frame, but Wake Forest responded with five unanswered.
- Williams made a triple and Scruggs made a layup.
Syracuse outscored Wake Forest 13-7 over the remainder of the quarter and led 55-39, entering the final 10 minutes of play.
- Williams logged four points and three assists during the third period.
The Orange went on a 7-0 spurt to start the fourth quarter.
Deeble made a layup and drained a triple on consecutive possessions midway through the fourth.
Makela Quimby made her first-career field goal with eight seconds remaining in regulation.
Syracuse defeated Wake Forest, 77-56.

Standout Stats

The Deacs held Syracuse to just 14 first-quarter points, tied for their second-fewest in the first frame this season.
- 30 first-half points also mark the second-fewest for the Orange this season.
As a team, the Deacs knocked down eight three-pointers, tied for the second-most in a game this season, as well as the second-best three-point percentage (.381).

From Gebbia
"We tried to make a run in the third quarter but we were just matching them basket for basket. We did fight but they just made a bunch of shots when we needed to hit shots. We needed to be better on the defensive end today. We probably scored enough to be in the game, but we needed to do a better job of controlling the other end of the floor. Today needs to be a growing moment because we are better than what we showed on the floor. It is still early and there is time to get this figured out before postseason, but we have to do this now. It will start tomorrow in practice and the effort that we put into getting ready for Louisville." - Megan Gebbia

Next Up
The Demon Deacons are on the road again this weekend for another nationally-ranked game, facing No. 15 Louisville Sunday afternoon.

The 2:00 p.m. tipoff at KFC YUM Center can also be seen 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

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

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Team Stats

Malaya Cowles

Kate Deeble

Elise Williams

Kaia Harrison

Players Mentioned

Raegyn Conley

Malaya Cowles

Kate Deeble

Kaia Harrison

Makaela Quimby

Elise Williams

Wake Forest Athletics