Thursday, January 18
Chestnut Hill, MA
7:00 p.m.
Wake Forest University
at
Boston College
Deacs Head North to Play Boston College
1/17/2024 5:40:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Wake Forest will look to continue its winning ways against the Eagles Thursday night in Chestnut Hill, Mass. with tipoff set for 7 p.m. ET.
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – The Wake Forest women's basketball team travels to Boston Thursday night to play against Boston College at Conte Forum.
The Demon Deacons (4-13, 0-5 ACC) hold a five-game edge in the series history with a 6-4 advantage in games played in Chestnut Hill. The Deacs are looking for their first win on the road this season. Additionally, Wake Forest will be looking for their highest NET win of the season as Boston College currently sits at No. 80 in the latest release of the ranking. Wake Forest has navigated one of the most difficult schedules in the country, as the Deacs' average opponent NET now ranks fourth nationally.
The Eagles (10-8, 2-3 ACC) are 2-0 in conference play at home with victories over Miami and Pittsburgh. Overall nine of Boston College's 10 wins this season have come at home as the lone loss came to Harvard in early November. This season, the Eagles have been one of the better teams in the country at turning teams over. They currently lead the ACC and rank seventh nationally with 12.8 steals per game while also leading the league with 22.83 turnovers forced (ninth nationally) and a +7.28 turnover margin (ninth nationally). Kaylah Ivey leads the country in Assist/Turnover Ratio with a 3.87-to-1 mark while also ranking third nationally with 120 assists (6.7 assists/game). Dontavia Waggoner ranks sixth nationally with 57 steals on the season and 10th nationally with 3.17 steals per game.
Tipoff for Thursday is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. (ET) at Conte Forum.
For those not at the arena, fans can tune in to ACC Network Extra for Thursday's game. A live stats feed can be found here for Thursday. 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).
STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE
Over the course of the season, the Demon Deacons have navigated one of the toughest schedules in the country as the Deacs currently sit at No. 4 in the Average Opponent NET Rank metric in the country. This includes seven games against NET top-50 teams and 10 teams in the NET top-100:
NCAA Average Opponent NET Rank
1. UConn
2. Creighton
3. Stanford
4. Wake Forest
5. Maryland
Additionally since the start of conference play, every team that Wake Forest has played was either ranked or receiving votes.
The strong schedule has seen Wake Forest rise 15 spots overall in the NET rankings since the start of conference play.
SCRUGGS MAKING MOST OF SENIOR SEASON
Alexandria Scruggs made her 134th appearance in a Wake Forest uniform Sunday, adding to her program-record that she set in the previous game against No. 13 Virginia Tech:
RK Name Years Games Played
1. Alexandria Scruggs 2019-Pres. 134
2. Kaia Harrison 2019-Pres. 130
Lakevia Boykin 2009-13 130
3. Brooke Thomas 2008-12 129
Dearica Hamby 2011-15 129
Milan Quinn 2013-17 129
Amber Campbell 2014-18 129
7. Secily Ray 2008-12 128
Sandra Garcia 2009-13 128
9. Chelsea Douglas 2010-14 126
For the fifth time in the last seven games, Scruggs posted double-figure points against Miami on Sunday, finishing the game with 11 points. Overall, this was the sixth time this season she has finished with double-digit points.
She also led the team on the glass, pulling down nine rebounds in the game. Through 17 games she leads the team with 5.5 rebounds per game, her highest average of her career by nearly 2.0 rebounds per game.
ASSISTS ON MADE BASKETS
The Demon Deacons recorded 13 assists on 23 made baskets (56.5 percent) at Louisville.
Wake Forest has had 10 or more assists for 13-consecutive games and have done so 13 times overall.
This season, the Deacs have assisted 209 of 363 made field goals (57.6 percent). This matches the same percentage from last season and ranks in the 70th percentile.
FORCING TURNOVERS
Defensively, the Demon Deacons forced double-digit turnovers for the 28th time in the last 29 games with the lone game coming against Syracuse on Thursday, Jan. 11. The 29 game stretch goes back to January of 2022.
In total, the Deacs forced 16 turnovers Sunday afternoon which resulted in 19 points on the other end.
The Demon Deacons forced 15 Florida State turnovers, despite the Seminoles coming into the game averaging only 11.2 per game.
Of note, Florida State came in ranked top-10 in the country in turnover offense. Additionally, the Deacs won the turnover battle, despite the Seminoles averaging a +4.2 turnover margin over their first 13 games of the season.
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 4-of-4 from the free throw line Sunday at Louisville. Overall this season, Harrison is 57-of-68 (83.8 pct.), ranking eighth in the ACC and 82nd nationally in free throw percentage.
Junior guard Elise Williams is not far behind, averaging a career-best 80.9 percent from the stripe (38-of-47). She is close to cracking into the top-10 in program history in free throw percentage, trailing 10th by just .03.
Sunday, Wake Forest finished 9-of-10 from the line including starting the game a perfect 8-for-8 from the line. It marked the highest percentage of the season. Through 15 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 72.0 percent (179-of-247) this season. Wake Forest is totaling 10.6 free throws made per game this year compared to last year's 10.1 free throws made per game.
COWLES GETS IT GOING AT HOME
Redshirt sophomore forward Malaya Cowles went 6-of-11 from the floor as she finished with 13 points and five rebounds.
Cowles holds a .657 shooting percentage (46-of-70) while inside LJVM Coliseum this season:
Wake Forest vs. No. 15 Louisville (Jan. 14)
Result: L, 62-83
Versus Boston College
Series: Wake Forest leads 13-8
Last Time: Feb. 26, 2023
Result: L, 63-73
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
After two games on the road, the Demon Deacons return home for another ranked-matchup as the Deacs host No. 19 Notre Dame at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum Sunday afternoon.
The 2:00 p.m. tipoff at LJVM Coliseum can also be seen on ACC Network Extra.
The Demon Deacons (4-13, 0-5 ACC) hold a five-game edge in the series history with a 6-4 advantage in games played in Chestnut Hill. The Deacs are looking for their first win on the road this season. Additionally, Wake Forest will be looking for their highest NET win of the season as Boston College currently sits at No. 80 in the latest release of the ranking. Wake Forest has navigated one of the most difficult schedules in the country, as the Deacs' average opponent NET now ranks fourth nationally.
The Eagles (10-8, 2-3 ACC) are 2-0 in conference play at home with victories over Miami and Pittsburgh. Overall nine of Boston College's 10 wins this season have come at home as the lone loss came to Harvard in early November. This season, the Eagles have been one of the better teams in the country at turning teams over. They currently lead the ACC and rank seventh nationally with 12.8 steals per game while also leading the league with 22.83 turnovers forced (ninth nationally) and a +7.28 turnover margin (ninth nationally). Kaylah Ivey leads the country in Assist/Turnover Ratio with a 3.87-to-1 mark while also ranking third nationally with 120 assists (6.7 assists/game). Dontavia Waggoner ranks sixth nationally with 57 steals on the season and 10th nationally with 3.17 steals per game.
Tipoff for Thursday is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. (ET) at Conte Forum.
For those not at the arena, fans can tune in to ACC Network Extra for Thursday's game. A live stats feed can be found here for Thursday. 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).
STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE
Over the course of the season, the Demon Deacons have navigated one of the toughest schedules in the country as the Deacs currently sit at No. 4 in the Average Opponent NET Rank metric in the country. This includes seven games against NET top-50 teams and 10 teams in the NET top-100:
NCAA Average Opponent NET Rank
1. UConn
2. Creighton
3. Stanford
4. Wake Forest
5. Maryland
Additionally since the start of conference play, every team that Wake Forest has played was either ranked or receiving votes.
The strong schedule has seen Wake Forest rise 15 spots overall in the NET rankings since the start of conference play.
SCRUGGS MAKING MOST OF SENIOR SEASON
Alexandria Scruggs made her 134th appearance in a Wake Forest uniform Sunday, adding to her program-record that she set in the previous game against No. 13 Virginia Tech:
RK Name Years Games Played
1. Alexandria Scruggs 2019-Pres. 134
2. Kaia Harrison 2019-Pres. 130
Lakevia Boykin 2009-13 130
3. Brooke Thomas 2008-12 129
Dearica Hamby 2011-15 129
Milan Quinn 2013-17 129
Amber Campbell 2014-18 129
7. Secily Ray 2008-12 128
Sandra Garcia 2009-13 128
9. Chelsea Douglas 2010-14 126
For the fifth time in the last seven games, Scruggs posted double-figure points against Miami on Sunday, finishing the game with 11 points. Overall, this was the sixth time this season she has finished with double-digit points.
She also led the team on the glass, pulling down nine rebounds in the game. Through 17 games she leads the team with 5.5 rebounds per game, her highest average of her career by nearly 2.0 rebounds per game.
ASSISTS ON MADE BASKETS
The Demon Deacons recorded 13 assists on 23 made baskets (56.5 percent) at Louisville.
Wake Forest has had 10 or more assists for 13-consecutive games and have done so 13 times overall.
This season, the Deacs have assisted 209 of 363 made field goals (57.6 percent). This matches the same percentage from last season and ranks in the 70th percentile.
FORCING TURNOVERS
Defensively, the Demon Deacons forced double-digit turnovers for the 28th time in the last 29 games with the lone game coming against Syracuse on Thursday, Jan. 11. The 29 game stretch goes back to January of 2022.
In total, the Deacs forced 16 turnovers Sunday afternoon which resulted in 19 points on the other end.
The Demon Deacons forced 15 Florida State turnovers, despite the Seminoles coming into the game averaging only 11.2 per game.
Of note, Florida State came in ranked top-10 in the country in turnover offense. Additionally, the Deacs won the turnover battle, despite the Seminoles averaging a +4.2 turnover margin over their first 13 games of the season.
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 4-of-4 from the free throw line Sunday at Louisville. Overall this season, Harrison is 57-of-68 (83.8 pct.), ranking eighth in the ACC and 82nd nationally in free throw percentage.
Junior guard Elise Williams is not far behind, averaging a career-best 80.9 percent from the stripe (38-of-47). She is close to cracking into the top-10 in program history in free throw percentage, trailing 10th by just .03.
Sunday, Wake Forest finished 9-of-10 from the line including starting the game a perfect 8-for-8 from the line. It marked the highest percentage of the season. Through 15 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 72.0 percent (179-of-247) this season. Wake Forest is totaling 10.6 free throws made per game this year compared to last year's 10.1 free throws made per game.
COWLES GETS IT GOING AT HOME
Redshirt sophomore forward Malaya Cowles went 6-of-11 from the floor as she finished with 13 points and five rebounds.
Cowles holds a .657 shooting percentage (46-of-70) 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
- 1-of-2 vs. No. 13 Virginia Tech
- 6-of-11 vs. Syracuse
Wake Forest vs. No. 15 Louisville (Jan. 14)
Result: L, 62-83
- The Demon Deacons got 11 points each from Conley and Williams, marking the second-highest total of the season for Conley and her third double-digit scoring effort.
- Additionally, for the 28th time in the last 29 games, Wake Forest forced double-digit turnovers. The Deacs forced the nationally-ranked Cardinals into 16 turnovers which led to 19 points for the Demon Deacons on the other end.
- Sunday, Wake Forest finished 9-of-10 from the line including starting the game a perfect 8-for-8 from the line. It marked the highest percentage of the season. Graduate guard Kaia Harrison ended the afternoon 4-of-4 from the line. She is now 57-of-68 (83.8 pct.) at the charity stripe this season, which ranks 10th in single-season program history.
Versus Boston College
Series: Wake Forest leads 13-8
Last Time: Feb. 26, 2023
Result: L, 63-73
- Junior guard Jewel Spear was an anchor on the scoring end, pouring in a game-high 23 points and ringing in four three-pointers. It was the junior guard's ninth game of 20 or more points this year and the 16th time this season she has led the team in scoring. Her Sunday total moved her into the top-15 of career points in program history, currently standing 14th all-time with 1,287.
- Harrison posted a line of 13 points, three rebounds, four assists and two steals with nine of her points coming in the first quarter. Sophomore guard Elise Williams rounded out the Deacon trio of double-digit scoring, chipping in 10 points. Becker contributed six points and handed out four assists.
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
After two games on the road, the Demon Deacons return home for another ranked-matchup as the Deacs host No. 19 Notre Dame at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum Sunday afternoon.
The 2:00 p.m. tipoff at LJVM 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 Basketball
Guard
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