Sunday, January 28
Clemson, SC
6:00 p.m.
Wake Forest University
at
Clemson
Deacs Set for Primetime Road Battle at Clemson
1/27/2024 2:37:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Wake Forest will look to claim its first conference win of the season while also looking for its first road win of the season Sunday night in Clemson, S.C. with the 6:00 p.m. tipoff airing on ACC Network.
CLEMSON, S.C. – The Wake Forest women's basketball team is set for a primetime matchup when they travel to South Carolina for a Sunday night game at Clemson.
The Demon Deacons (4-15, 0-7 ACC) will be looking for their highest NET win of the season as Notre Dame currently sits at No. 91 in the latest release of the ranking and also the Deacs will also look to continue its recent success in the series as they own a 10-5 ledger over the last 15 meetings. Wake Forest has navigated one of the most difficult schedules in the country, as the Deacs' average opponent NET now ranks fourth nationally.
The Tigers (8-12, 1-7 ACC) have dropped seven consecutive games and their lone conference win came over Duke in mid-December. Their four most recent contests have come against teams currently ranked in the top 25 including a 71-49 loss against No. 7 NC State at home on Thursday night. Among qualified players, Amari Robinson currently ranks 31st in the country and second in the ACC with a 56.2 field goal percentage while also ranking sixth in the league with 17.5 points per game. As a team, the Tigers are shooting the ball at a 44.5 percent clip this season which is 61st nationally and sixth in the conference.
Tipoff for Sunday is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. (ET) at Littlejohn Coliseum.
For those not at the arena, fans can tune in to ACC Network 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 13 teams in the NET top-100:
NCAA Average Opponent NET Rank
1. UConn
2. Creighton
3. Maryland
4. Wake Forest
5. Stanford
Additionally since the start of conference play, all but one team that Wake Forest has played was either ranked or receiving votes in the AP Poll.
The strong schedule has seen Wake Forest rise 13 spots overall in the NET rankings since the start of conference play.
COWLES GETS IT GOING
Against Notre Dame, Malaya Cowles had another efficient showing, posting a team-high 13 points and making all but one of her field goal attempts (6-of-7).
The redshirt sophomore forward has now scored 12 or more points in three of her last four appearances.
She continued her impressive play shooting percentage at home. Cowles holds a .675 shooting percentage (52-of-77) while inside LJVM Coliseum this season:
Her single-season field goal percentage is one of the highest in program history, ranking sixth:
FIELD GOAL PCT. (minimum 50 attempts)
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.
She followed that up with another impressive statline against Notre Dame with nine points, five assists and five rebounds.
Since the start of ACC play, Williams leads the team with 11.4 points per game while also averaging 4.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game.
SCRUGGS MAKING MOST OF SENIOR SEASON
Alexandria Scruggs made her 136th appearance in a Wake Forest uniform Sunday, 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. 136
2. Kaia Harrison 2019-Pres. 132
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
In five of the last nine 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 19 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 12 assists on 22 made baskets (55 percent) versus the Fighting Irish.
Wake Forest has had 10 or more assists on 15 separate occasions this season.
This season, the Deacs have assisted 238 of 410 made field goals (58 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 30th time in the last 31 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 16 turnovers by Notre Dame, as five Wake Forest individuals picked up a steal, along with three players finishing with two apiece.
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-4 from the free throw line Sunday against No. 19 Notre Dame. Overall this season, Harrison is 61-of-74 (82.4 pct.), ranking sixth in the ACC and 90th nationally in free throw percentage.
Junior guard Elise Williams is averaging a career-best 82.7 percent from the stripe (43-of-52). She is now ranked ninth in program history in free throw percentage:
Through 19 games this season, Wake Forest has seen a massive uptick in free throw shooting percentage, going from 66.0 percent (343-of-520) last season to 72.7 percent (194-of-267) this season.
On Sunday, the team went 8-of-11 from the charity stripe (72.7 percent). This is the fifth time in the last six games the Demon Deacons have shot 70 percent or better.
LAST TIME
Wake Forest vs. No. 19 Notre Dame (Jan. 21)
Result: L, 56-75
Versus Clemson
Series: Clemson leads 54-27
Last Time: Feb. 5, 2023
Result: W, 69-64
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 are back home on Thursday night as they play Miami for the second time this season.
The 6:00 p.m. tipoff against the Hurricanes will also air on ACC Network Extra.
The Demon Deacons (4-15, 0-7 ACC) will be looking for their highest NET win of the season as Notre Dame currently sits at No. 91 in the latest release of the ranking and also the Deacs will also look to continue its recent success in the series as they own a 10-5 ledger over the last 15 meetings. Wake Forest has navigated one of the most difficult schedules in the country, as the Deacs' average opponent NET now ranks fourth nationally.
The Tigers (8-12, 1-7 ACC) have dropped seven consecutive games and their lone conference win came over Duke in mid-December. Their four most recent contests have come against teams currently ranked in the top 25 including a 71-49 loss against No. 7 NC State at home on Thursday night. Among qualified players, Amari Robinson currently ranks 31st in the country and second in the ACC with a 56.2 field goal percentage while also ranking sixth in the league with 17.5 points per game. As a team, the Tigers are shooting the ball at a 44.5 percent clip this season which is 61st nationally and sixth in the conference.
Tipoff for Sunday is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. (ET) at Littlejohn Coliseum.
For those not at the arena, fans can tune in to ACC Network 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 13 teams in the NET top-100:
NCAA Average Opponent NET Rank
1. UConn
2. Creighton
3. Maryland
4. Wake Forest
5. Stanford
Additionally since the start of conference play, all but one team that Wake Forest has played was either ranked or receiving votes in the AP Poll.
The strong schedule has seen Wake Forest rise 13 spots overall in the NET rankings since the start of conference play.
COWLES GETS IT GOING
Against Notre Dame, Malaya Cowles had another efficient showing, posting a team-high 13 points and making all but one of her field goal attempts (6-of-7).
The redshirt sophomore forward has now scored 12 or more points in three of her last four appearances.
She continued her impressive play shooting percentage at home. Cowles holds a .675 shooting percentage (52-of-77) 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
- 6-of-7 vs. No. 19 Notre Dame
Her single-season field goal percentage is one of the highest in program history, ranking sixth:
FIELD GOAL PCT. (minimum 50 attempts)
- 1. Lisa Dodd 1987-88 .647
- 2. Ona Udoh 2019-20 .623
- 3. Jenny Mitchell 1988-89 .616
- 4. Jenny Mitchell 1990-91 .610
- 5. Jenny Mitchell 1989-90 .606
- 6. Malaya Cowles 2023-24 .596
- 7. Ona Udoh 2018-19 .587
- 8. Jenny Mitchell 1987-88 .572
- 9. Lisa Dodd 1986-87 .567
- 10. Alice Neal 1986-87 .563
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 |
She followed that up with another impressive statline against Notre Dame with nine points, five assists and five rebounds.
Since the start of ACC play, Williams leads the team with 11.4 points per game while also averaging 4.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game.
SCRUGGS MAKING MOST OF SENIOR SEASON
Alexandria Scruggs made her 136th appearance in a Wake Forest uniform Sunday, 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. 136
2. Kaia Harrison 2019-Pres. 132
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
In five of the last nine 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 19 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 12 assists on 22 made baskets (55 percent) versus the Fighting Irish.
Wake Forest has had 10 or more assists on 15 separate occasions this season.
This season, the Deacs have assisted 238 of 410 made field goals (58 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 30th time in the last 31 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 16 turnovers by Notre Dame, as five Wake Forest individuals picked up a steal, along with three players finishing with two apiece.
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-4 from the free throw line Sunday against No. 19 Notre Dame. Overall this season, Harrison is 61-of-74 (82.4 pct.), ranking sixth in the ACC and 90th nationally in free throw percentage.
Junior guard Elise Williams is averaging a career-best 82.7 percent from the stripe (43-of-52). 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 |
| 9. | Elise Williams (2021-Present) | .757 |
| 10. | Amber Campbell (2014-18) | .755 |
Through 19 games this season, Wake Forest has seen a massive uptick in free throw shooting percentage, going from 66.0 percent (343-of-520) last season to 72.7 percent (194-of-267) this season.
On Sunday, the team went 8-of-11 from the charity stripe (72.7 percent). This is the fifth time in the last six games the Demon Deacons have shot 70 percent or better.
LAST TIME
Wake Forest vs. No. 19 Notre Dame (Jan. 21)
Result: L, 56-75
- Redshirt sophomore forward Malaya Cowles had another efficient showing, posting a team-high 13 points and making all but one of her field goal attempts (6-of-7). Wilkesboro, N.C. native has now scored 12 or more points in three of her last four appearances.
- She continued her impressive play shooting percentage at home. Cowles holds a .675 shooting percentage (52-of-77) while inside LJVM Coliseum this season.
- Junior guard Alyssa Andrews finished with double-figures in scoring as well, totaling 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting (66.7 percent). Sunday included her highest point total versus a conference opponent thus far in 2023-24 and third double-figure game overall.
- Fellow junior guard Elise Williams did a bit of everything to finish with nine points, five rebounds (team high), five assists and two steals. This was coming off a historic 14-10-7 performance on Thursday night at Boston College.
Versus Clemson
Series: Clemson leads 54-27
Last Time: Feb. 5, 2023
Result: W, 69-64
- In their first overtime game of the 2022-23 campaign, the Demon Deacons held the Tigers to just 23.5 percent shooting from beyond the arc en route to their fourth-consecutive home win. Of note, coming into Sunday's contest, the Deacs were holding their opponents to just 35.2 percent from the field and just 27.0 percent from the three-point line at home this season.
- Trailing by nine with less than 4:30 left in the game, the Deacs turned it on down the stretch, ending regulation on a 13-4 scoring run to send the game into overtime. Spear accounted for nine of those points. After going into that stretch 3-of-14 from three, Spear nailed three consecutive threes to help tie the game at the end of regulation.
- The Demon Deacons were led in the score column by Spear as she tallied 29 points, while shooting 7-of-8 from the charity stripe. Spear's 29-point outing marked her third-highest scoring output of the season and moved her into a tie with Wake Forest alumni guard Alex Tchangoue (2005-09) for 17th on the Wake Forest all-time scoring list with 1,212. Additionally, she passed three other Demon Deacon basketball alums during the game after entering the game in 21st.
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, Feb. 4 vs. Georgia Tech
- Sunday, Feb. 11 vs. Virginia
- Sunday, Feb. 18 vs. North Carolina
UP NEXT
The Demon Deacons are back home on Thursday night as they play Miami for the second time this season.
The 6:00 p.m. tipoff against the Hurricanes will also air on ACC Network Extra.
Players Mentioned
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
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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