Thursday, January 4
Winston-Salem, N.C.
6:00 p.m.
Wake Forest University
vs
Virginia Tech
Deacs Welcome No. 13 Virginia Tech for ACC Home Opener
1/2/2024 2:52:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Wake Forest will look to extend their home winning streak to three in a row and claim their first ranked victory since the 2020-21 season.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Wake Forest women's basketball team hosts its first game in Atlantic Coast Conference play Thursday night against No. 13 Virginia Tech at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
The Demon Deacons (4-9, 0-1 ACC) will look to continue their winning ways at home after claiming the last two home games of the non-conference schedule. 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 against a top-20 team came on the road at No. 15/18 NC State on Feb. 19, 2017. The Deacs have navigated one of the most difficult schedules in the country, as the Deacs' average opponent NET ranks 12th nationally.
The nationally-ranked Hokies (10-2, 1-0 ACC) come into Thursday winning five in a row including a 91-41 victory over Pitt Sunday in their ACC opener. Additionally, their only two losses this season have come to No. 4 Iowa and No. 7 LSU who both played in the NCAA Championship game last year. The Hokies are led by two-time reigning ACC Player of the Year Elizabeth Kitley. She is averaging 19.9 points per game and ranks fifth in the country with 11.4 rebounds per game. Point guard Georgia Amoore leads the ACC and ranks seventh nationally with 7.3 assists per game. As a team, the Hokies rank fourth nationally with 10.3 threes per game while also ranking top five in the country in blocks per game (7.0) and free throw percentage (81.5 pct.).
Tipoff for Thursday is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. (ET) at LJVM Coliseum.
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).
SCRUGGS SET TO MAKE HISTORY
Thursday night's game against No. 13 Virginia Tech will be a momentous one for graduate guard Alexandria Scruggs as she is set to make program history. It will mark her 131st game in her Wake Forest career which will be the most in the history of the program, breaking the 11-year-old record set by Lakevia Boykin in 2013. By the end of the season, fellow graduate guard Kaia Harrison will rank second in program history:
RK Name Years Games Played
1. Lakevia Boykin 2009-13 130
Alexandria Scruggs 2019-Pres. 130
2. 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
Kaia Harrison 2019-Pres. 126
ASSISTS ON MADE BASKETS
The Demon Deacons recorded 14 assists on 23 made baskets (60.8 percent) against the Seminoles.
It marked the ninth-consecutive game in which the Deacs recorded at least 10 assists and 11th time overall.
This season, the Deacs have assisted 162 of 275 made field goals (58.9 percent). This matches the same percentage from last season and is in the 78th percentile nationally.
FORCING TURNOVERS
The Demon Deacons forced 15 Florida State turnovers Sunday, despite the Seminoles coming into Sunday 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.
The Deacs have forced double-digit turnovers in every game this season and have turned over opponents 201 times in 13 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 49-of-57 (86.0 pct.), ranking seventh in the ACC and 60th 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 13 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 71.6 percent (144-of-201) this season.
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:
Wake Forest vs. No. 22 Florida State (Dec. 31)
Result: L, 66-59
Versus Virginia Tech
Series: Virginia Tech leads 18-15
Last Time: Jan. 22, 2022
Result: L, 74-57
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 (4-9, 0-1 ACC) will look to continue their winning ways at home after claiming the last two home games of the non-conference schedule. 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 against a top-20 team came on the road at No. 15/18 NC State on Feb. 19, 2017. The Deacs have navigated one of the most difficult schedules in the country, as the Deacs' average opponent NET ranks 12th nationally.
The nationally-ranked Hokies (10-2, 1-0 ACC) come into Thursday winning five in a row including a 91-41 victory over Pitt Sunday in their ACC opener. Additionally, their only two losses this season have come to No. 4 Iowa and No. 7 LSU who both played in the NCAA Championship game last year. The Hokies are led by two-time reigning ACC Player of the Year Elizabeth Kitley. She is averaging 19.9 points per game and ranks fifth in the country with 11.4 rebounds per game. Point guard Georgia Amoore leads the ACC and ranks seventh nationally with 7.3 assists per game. As a team, the Hokies rank fourth nationally with 10.3 threes per game while also ranking top five in the country in blocks per game (7.0) and free throw percentage (81.5 pct.).
Tipoff for Thursday is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. (ET) at LJVM Coliseum.
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).
SCRUGGS SET TO MAKE HISTORY
Thursday night's game against No. 13 Virginia Tech will be a momentous one for graduate guard Alexandria Scruggs as she is set to make program history. It will mark her 131st game in her Wake Forest career which will be the most in the history of the program, breaking the 11-year-old record set by Lakevia Boykin in 2013. By the end of the season, fellow graduate guard Kaia Harrison will rank second in program history:
RK Name Years Games Played
1. Lakevia Boykin 2009-13 130
Alexandria Scruggs 2019-Pres. 130
2. 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
Kaia Harrison 2019-Pres. 126
ASSISTS ON MADE BASKETS
The Demon Deacons recorded 14 assists on 23 made baskets (60.8 percent) against the Seminoles.
It marked the ninth-consecutive game in which the Deacs recorded at least 10 assists and 11th time overall.
This season, the Deacs have assisted 162 of 275 made field goals (58.9 percent). This matches the same percentage from last season and is in the 78th percentile nationally.
FORCING TURNOVERS
The Demon Deacons forced 15 Florida State turnovers Sunday, despite the Seminoles coming into Sunday 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.
The Deacs have forced double-digit turnovers in every game this season and have turned over opponents 201 times in 13 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 49-of-57 (86.0 pct.), ranking seventh in the ACC and 60th 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 13 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 71.6 percent (144-of-201) this season.
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
Wake Forest vs. No. 22 Florida State (Dec. 31)
Result: L, 66-59
- The Demon Deacons limited the Seminoles to their second-lowest season point total as the Noles came into the game averaging 86.0 points per game, ranking 11th nationally. Wake Forest also forced 15 turnovers which was four more than Florida State's season average. The Seminoles ranked eighth in the country in turnovers per game coming into the contest.
- On the offensive end of the floor, the Deacs were led by another great post performance from Cowles as she tallied a team-high 16 points on 7-of-13 shooting while also pulling down four rebounds and tallying two assists.
- Junior guard Elise Williams had a balanced effort with nine points to go along with a team-best eight rebounds and a team-high four assists.
- Graduate guard Alexandria Scruggs had a near double-double performance with 10 points and a team-best eight rebounds. Sunday was her 130th career game, tying her for the most games played in a Wake Forest career.
Versus Virginia Tech
Series: Virginia Tech leads 18-15
Last Time: Jan. 22, 2022
Result: L, 74-57
- The Demon Deacons were led by a sinsational performance from junior guard Jewel Spear in the defeat to the nationally-ranked Hokies. After scoring a team-high six points in the first 20 minutes of action, Spear put on a memorable performance in the third quarter to help Wake Forest climb within one possession.
- Spear had an immaculate 10 minutes as she did not miss from the field, hitting all five of her attempts from the field including three from behind the arc. She also knocked down all five of her free throws to complete the perfect shooting quarter.
- It was the second-highest scoring quarter in her career, nearly tying her 20-point fourth quarter against East Tennessee State in her 40-point performance as a sophomore.
- With the help of Spear's third quarter effort and ACC-best 27 points, Wake Forest was within three points with 10 minutes left in the game. The Demon Deacons could not come any closer, falling to the Hokies.
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 Basketball
Guard
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