Sunday, January 21
Winston-Salem, N.C.
2:00 p.m.
Wake Forest University
vs
Notre Dame
Deacs Back Home to Host No. 19 Notre Dame
1/20/2024 7:51:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Wake Forest will look to claim a ranked victory against No. 19 Notre Dame at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum with tipoff set for 2 p.m. ET.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Wake Forest women's basketball team is back home Sunday afternoon as they play host to No. 19 Notre Dame at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
The Demon Deacons (4-14, 0-6 ACC) will be looking for their highest NET win of the season as Notre Dame currently sits at No. 9 in the latest release of the ranking and also look for the first win against the Irish in the series history. Wake Forest has navigated one of the most difficult schedules in the country, as the Deacs' average opponent NET now ranks fourth nationally. 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 nationally-ranked Fighting Irish (13-3, 2-3 ACC) have won their last three games coming into Sunday including most recently on the road Thursday at Virginia, 86-76. Notre Dame has been in the top 25 all season and have ranked as high as No. 10 in the nation. Notre Dame has been led by standout freshman guard Hannah Hidalgo who currently leads the country with 91 steals and 5.89 steals per game while also ranking fourth nationally with 24.1 points per game and 20th nationally with 5.8 assists per game. The Fighting Irish has the No. 9 scoring offense in the country with 85.0 points per game while also ranking ninth nationally with 12.5 steals per game.
Tipoff for Sunday is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. (ET) at LJVM Coliseum.
For those not at the arena, fans can tune in to ACC Network Extra 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).
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
4. 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.
ELISE'S HISTORIC PERFORMANCE
Junior guard Elise Williams recorded her third-career double-double as she notched 14 points and 10 rebounds in addition to seven assists. It marked the first double-double by a Demon Deacon since Demeara Hinds against Morgan State last season on March 16, 2023.
Additionally, it was just the third 14-10-7 or better game in the Her Hoops Stats era (2009-10) by a Wake Forest player and first since Dearica Hamby against Pitt on March 5, 2014.
Since the start of ACC play, Williams leads the team with 12.3 points per game while also averaging 4.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game.
SCRUGGS MAKING MOST OF SENIOR SEASON
Alexandria Scruggs made her 135th appearance in a Wake Forest uniform Thursday, adding to her program-record that she set in the previous game against No. 13 Virginia Tech. Additionally against Boston College, Kaia Harrison solely moved into second place in the all-time games played list:
RK Name Years Games Played
1. Alexandria Scruggs 2019-Pres. 135
2. Kaia Harrison 2019-Pres. 131
3. Lakevia Boykin 2009-13 130
4. Brooke Thomas 2008-12 129
Dearica Hamby 2011-15 129
Milan Quinn 2013-17 129
Amber Campbell 2014-18 129
8. Secily Ray 2008-12 128
Sandra Garcia 2009-13 128
10. Chelsea Douglas 2010-14 126
For the fifth time in the last eight games, Scruggs posted double-figure points. Overall, she has recorded double-digit points six times this season.
She also led the team on the glass, pulling down 10 rebounds against Boston College on Thursday. Through 18 games she leads the team with 5.7 rebounds per game, her highest average of her career by nearly 2.0 rebounds per game.
ASSISTS ON MADE BASKETS
The Demon Deacons recorded 17 assists on 25 made baskets (68.0 percent) at Boston College.
Wake Forest has had 10 or more assists for 14-consecutive games and have done so 15 times overall.
This season, the Deacs have assisted 226 of 388 made field goals (58.2 percent). This matches the same percentage from last season and ranks in the 72nd percentile.
FORCING TURNOVERS
Defensively, the Demon Deacons forced double-digit turnovers for the 29th time in the last 30 games with the lone game coming against Syracuse on Jan. 11. The 30-game stretch goes back to January of 2022.
In total, the Deacs forced 11 turnovers Thursday evening which resulted in 14 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 2-of-2 from the free throw line Thursday at Boston College. Overall this season, Harrison is 59-of-70 (84.3 pct.), ranking sixth in the ACC and 67th nationally in free throw percentage.
Junior guard Elise Williams is not far behind, averaging a career-best 82.0 percent from the stripe (41-of-50). She is now ranked ninth in program history in free throw percentage:
Sunday, Wake Forest finished 7-of-9 (77.8 pct.) from the line including, marking the eighth time this season that Wake Forest has shot 75.0 percent or better from the line. Through 17 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 72.7 percent (186-of-256) 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. Boston College (Jan. 18)
Result: L, 65-68
Versus Notre Dame
Series: Notre Dame leads 11-0
Last Time: Jan. 12, 2023
Result: L, 47-86
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 will be off for a week before returning to the court on Jan. 28 when Wake Forest travels Clemson for the first of two matchups against the Tigers this season.
The 6:00 p.m. tipoff at Littlejohn Coliseum can also be seen on ACC Network.
The Demon Deacons (4-14, 0-6 ACC) will be looking for their highest NET win of the season as Notre Dame currently sits at No. 9 in the latest release of the ranking and also look for the first win against the Irish in the series history. Wake Forest has navigated one of the most difficult schedules in the country, as the Deacs' average opponent NET now ranks fourth nationally. 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 nationally-ranked Fighting Irish (13-3, 2-3 ACC) have won their last three games coming into Sunday including most recently on the road Thursday at Virginia, 86-76. Notre Dame has been in the top 25 all season and have ranked as high as No. 10 in the nation. Notre Dame has been led by standout freshman guard Hannah Hidalgo who currently leads the country with 91 steals and 5.89 steals per game while also ranking fourth nationally with 24.1 points per game and 20th nationally with 5.8 assists per game. The Fighting Irish has the No. 9 scoring offense in the country with 85.0 points per game while also ranking ninth nationally with 12.5 steals per game.
Tipoff for Sunday is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. (ET) at LJVM Coliseum.
For those not at the arena, fans can tune in to ACC Network Extra 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).
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
4. 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.
ELISE'S HISTORIC PERFORMANCE
Junior guard Elise Williams recorded her third-career double-double as she notched 14 points and 10 rebounds in addition to seven assists. It marked the first double-double by a Demon Deacon since Demeara Hinds against Morgan State last season on March 16, 2023.
Additionally, it was just the third 14-10-7 or better game in the Her Hoops Stats era (2009-10) by a Wake Forest player and first since Dearica Hamby against Pitt on March 5, 2014.
| Player | Date | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
| Elise Williams | Jan. 18, 2024 | 14 | 10 | 7 |
| Dearica Hamby | March 5, 2014 | 25 | 16 | 8 |
| Brittany Waters | Feb. 27, 2011 | 20 | 11 | 7 |
Since the start of ACC play, Williams leads the team with 12.3 points per game while also averaging 4.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game.
SCRUGGS MAKING MOST OF SENIOR SEASON
Alexandria Scruggs made her 135th appearance in a Wake Forest uniform Thursday, adding to her program-record that she set in the previous game against No. 13 Virginia Tech. Additionally against Boston College, Kaia Harrison solely moved into second place in the all-time games played list:
RK Name Years Games Played
1. Alexandria Scruggs 2019-Pres. 135
2. Kaia Harrison 2019-Pres. 131
3. Lakevia Boykin 2009-13 130
4. Brooke Thomas 2008-12 129
Dearica Hamby 2011-15 129
Milan Quinn 2013-17 129
Amber Campbell 2014-18 129
8. Secily Ray 2008-12 128
Sandra Garcia 2009-13 128
10. Chelsea Douglas 2010-14 126
For the fifth time in the last eight games, Scruggs posted double-figure points. Overall, she has recorded double-digit points six times this season.
She also led the team on the glass, pulling down 10 rebounds against Boston College on Thursday. Through 18 games she leads the team with 5.7 rebounds per game, her highest average of her career by nearly 2.0 rebounds per game.
ASSISTS ON MADE BASKETS
The Demon Deacons recorded 17 assists on 25 made baskets (68.0 percent) at Boston College.
Wake Forest has had 10 or more assists for 14-consecutive games and have done so 15 times overall.
This season, the Deacs have assisted 226 of 388 made field goals (58.2 percent). This matches the same percentage from last season and ranks in the 72nd percentile.
FORCING TURNOVERS
Defensively, the Demon Deacons forced double-digit turnovers for the 29th time in the last 30 games with the lone game coming against Syracuse on Jan. 11. The 30-game stretch goes back to January of 2022.
In total, the Deacs forced 11 turnovers Thursday evening which resulted in 14 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 2-of-2 from the free throw line Thursday at Boston College. Overall this season, Harrison is 59-of-70 (84.3 pct.), ranking sixth in the ACC and 67th nationally in free throw percentage.
Junior guard Elise Williams is not far behind, averaging a career-best 82.0 percent from the stripe (41-of-50). She is now ranked ninth in program history in free throw percentage:
| Rank | Player | FT Percentage |
| 1. | Nicole Levesque (1991-94) | .830 |
| 2. | Jewel Spear (2020-23) | .827 |
| 3. | Alice Neal (1986-89) | .805 |
| 4. | Heidi Coleman (1995-99) | .800 |
| 5. | Beth Davis (1989-91) | .792 |
| 6. | Porsche' Jones (2004-06) | .778 |
| 7. | Ivana Raca (2017-21) | .765 |
| T9. | Elise Williams (2021-Present) | .755 |
| T9. | Amber Campbell (2014-18) | .755 |
Sunday, Wake Forest finished 7-of-9 (77.8 pct.) from the line including, marking the eighth time this season that Wake Forest has shot 75.0 percent or better from the line. Through 17 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 72.7 percent (186-of-256) 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. Boston College (Jan. 18)
Result: L, 65-68
- The Demon Deacons closed out the game with 11 points in the final 42 seconds and cut the deficit to just one with seven seconds remaining with the Eagles just hanging on for the narrow win.
- Junior guard Elise Williams recorded her third-career double-double as she notched 14 points and 10 rebounds in addition to seven assists. It marked the first double-double by a Demon Deacon since Demeara Hinds against Morgan State last season on March 16, 2023.
- Additionally, it was just the third 14-10-7 game in the Her Hoops Stats era (2009-10) by a Wake Forest player and first since Dearica Hamby against Pitt on March 5, 2014. Since the start of ACC play, Williams leads the team with 11.4 points per game.
Versus Notre Dame
Series: Notre Dame leads 11-0
Last Time: Jan. 12, 2023
Result: L, 47-86
- The Demon Deacons were led in the score column by Williams who was helped by a big night at the free throw line. The Raleigh, N.C. native netted 5-of-6 at the charity stripe and the sophomore is now shooting nearly 80 percent from the free throw line this season.
- Williams recorded her 10th double-figure scoring game of the season. This is the fifth consecutive for the sophomore guard and five of her 10 double-figure games have come in conference play this season. She also led the way in the assist column, totaling three helpers.
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 will be off for a week before returning to the court on Jan. 28 when Wake Forest travels Clemson for the first of two matchups against the Tigers this season.
The 6:00 p.m. tipoff at Littlejohn Coliseum can also be seen on ACC Network.
Players Mentioned
Forward
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
Forward
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
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