Monday, November 4
Winston-Salem, N.C.
5 p.m.

Wake Forest University

vs

Queens University

Megan Gebbia

Deacs Set for Opening Night Against In-State Queens

11/3/2024 12:19:00 PM | Women's Basketball

The much-anticipated third season of the Coach Gebbia era is set to tipoff Monday night at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum at 5:00 p.m. against the Queens Royals.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Get excited Deacon Nation! Basketball season is finally here as the Wake Forest women's basketball team is set to tipoff the third season of the Megan Gebbia era Monday night at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum against the Queens Royals.
 
The Demon Deacons return eight of the 12 players off last year's team. Additionally the Deacs have seven players who have played three or more seasons of collegiate basketball including five that have played three or more seasons at Wake Forest. The Demon Deacons will be led by senior guard Elise Williams who led the Deacs in scoring, rebounding, assists, steals, minutes played and free throw percentage a season ago. Wake Forest fans will have plenty of opportunities to see the team at home this season including having eight of the 11 non-conference games at LJVM Coliseum.
 
The Royals finished the 2023-24 season with an overall record of 7-22 including a 1-15 record in the Atlantic Sun Conference. Queens will have almost a completely new team from a season ago as only four players return off last season's roster. Over the offseason, the Royals added four junior college transfers, four Division I transfers and two freshmen for the 2024-25 season. Junior forward Jordan Weaver is the leading returning scorer with 12.4 points and a team-leading 8.4 rebounds.
 
Tipoff for Monday is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. (ET) at LJVM Coliseum. 
 
For those not at the arena, fans can tune in to ACC Network Extra for Monday's game. A live stats feed can be found here for Monday. 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).
 
HONORING 1K
Be sure to arrive early for Opening Night on Monday as the Demon Deacons honor senior guard Elise Williams prior to the game for reaching 1,000 career points in her collegiate career.
 
Williams reached 1,000 points in the regular season home finale against Clemson. She enters the 2024-25 season ranked 28th in program history in scoring with 1,065 in 99 career games.
 
Williams will now look to move up the scoring list on Monday night as she is eight points away Tonia Brown (2000-04) in 27th and 14 points away from Ariel Stephenson (2015-19) in 26th:
 
Rank Player Career Points
22. Beth Davis (1988-91) 1,172
23. Alex Sharp (2016-20) 1,149
24. Raeanna Mulholland (1993-97) 1,110
25. Sicily Ray (2008-12) 1,099
26. Ariel Stephenson (2015-19) 1,079
27. Tonia Brown (2000-04) 1,073
28. Elise Williams (2021-Pres.) 1,065
29. Erin Ferrell (2001-05) 1,044
30. Gina Conti (2017-21) 1,037
31. Barbara Buchanan (1980-84) 1,023
 
Women's Basketball Tickets
Season Tickets On Sale
Claim your season ticket today at GoDeacs.com/tickets or by calling the Wake Forest Ticket Office at 336-758-3322.
 
Women's basketball season tickets start at just $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 or dinner opportunity with the Wake Forest women's basketball team
  • Access to The Blue Ridge Room for free light refreshments and snacks before and during select home games
  • "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 videoboard graphics made for them as well
Single-Game Tickets Now On Sale
Wake Forest women's basketball single-game tickets are now on sale, starting at $10 per game.
 
The best way to get your single-game tickets is at GoDeacs.com/tickets or by calling the Wake Forest Ticket Office at 336-758-3322.
 
4-Packs will go on sale soon and will only be available for Sunday games.
 
Gameday Timeline - Women's Basketball
  • Parking lots open the morning of game day.
  • Premium areas open an hour and a half prior to tip. 
  • Doors open 90 minutes prior to tip. 
 
Parking Information - Women's Basketball
Parking will be free to all games. Fans are encouraged to park in the Pepsi lot and enter through the West Gate Lobby.
 
Clear Bag Policy
  • Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC and do not exceed 12" x 6" x 12"
  • One gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc bag or similar)
  • Small clutch bags, approximately the size of a hand or 6.5" x 4.5" with or without a handle or strap, may be carried into the stadium along with one of the clear bag options
  • An exception will be made for medically necessary items and diaper bags after proper inspection at the gate
  • All bags are subject to search
 
The full list of prohibited items can be found on the Wake Forest Gameday Information Page.
 
Cashless concessions
All concession stands at the LJVM Coliseum are cashless.
 
Audio and Visual sensitivities
Please be advised that Wake Forest men's basketball game productions may involve flashing light sequences and high volume music. This may cause discomfort for some attendees.
 
Fan Code of Conduct
Wake Forest requests that all fans in attendance at the game adhere to all Athletics events rules and protocols. This includes all postgame procedures that allow for the competing student-athletes, coaches, and officials to exit the court safely.
 
We ask that all spectators at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum treat all staff, fellow fans, and opposing teams with respect and courtesy and avoid using foul or abusive language. Spectators must adhere to all rules regarding alcohol consumption, including age restrictions. Do not engage in any behavior that disrupts the game or other attendees, and report any concerns or issues to game day staff immediately.
 
Floor Seat Code of Conduct
Due to the special visibility of floor (courtside and baseline) seating, floor seat patrons are asked to abide by a code of conduct. This includes students who are sitting courtside in the student section. You can see the full Floor Seat Code of Conduct here.
 
MONTH OF FEBRUARY
Elise Williams lit it up in the month of February and was one of the key components of the Deacs peaking at the right time of the season.
 
Williams, who is averaged 13.3 points per game over the course of the entire 2023-24 season, was on a blistering pace of the course of the nine games during February:
 
Stat Average/Percentage
Points Per Game 18.1 PPG
Rebounds Per Game 5.6 RPG
Steals Per Game 2.6 SPG
Three-Point Percentage 44.4 pct.
Free Throw Percentage 79.5 pct.
 
SHARPSHOOTERS
Elise Williams led the team with 47 threes made over the course of the season. Overall, Wake Forest knocked down 204 threes during last season which ranks fourth in program history:
 
Rank Single-Season Threes Made Year
1. 275 2004-05
2. 227 2022-23
3. 215 2005-06
4. 204 2023-24
5. 195 2021-22
 
COWLES GETS IT GOING
Malaya Cowles, who led the team in shooting percentage during the 2023-24 season shot a stellar 73-of-126 (57.9 percent) from the floor while inside LJVM Coliseum.
  • 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
  • 2-of-5 vs. Miami
  • 3-of-8 vs. Georgia Tech
  • 1-of-6 vs. Virginia
  • 7-of-12 vs. Florida State
  • 5-of-12 vs. North Carolina
  • 3-of-6 vs. Clemson 
ASSISTS ON MADE BASKETS
The Demon Deacons recorded 12 assists on 21 made baskets (57.1 percent) in the season finale against Florida State.
 
Last season, the Deacs assisted 404 of 694 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 42 times in the last 43 games, with the lone game coming against Syracuse on Jan. 11. The 43-game stretch goes back to January of 2022. In total, the Deacs forced 14 turnovers against Florida State in the season finale.
 
Over the last 10 games, the Deacs are averaging 16.0 turnovers forced per game.
 
In total, the Deacs forced 20 turnovers four times over the course of the 2023-24 season which were also the four highest turnover forced games in the Megan Gebbia era:
1. vs. BYU - 25 turnovers forced (Nov. 18, 2023)
2. vs. North Carolina - 24 turnovers forced (Feb. 18, 2024)
T3. at Clemson - 20 turnovers forced (Jan. 28, 2024)
T3. vs. NC A&T - 20 turnovers forced (Nov. 15, 2023)
 
FROM THE LINE
Junior Elise Williams averaged a career-best 82.8 percent from the stripe (96-of-116). Additionally, she is now ranks eighth in program history in career free throw percentage:
 
Rank Player Career FT Percentage
1. Nicole Levesque (1991-94) .830
2. Jewel Spear (2020-23) .827
3. Lisa Brookes (1981-84) .823
4. Alice Neal (1986-89) .805
5. Heidi Coleman (1995-99) .800
6. Beth Davis (1989-91) .792
7. Porsche' Jones (2004-06) .778
8. Elise Williams (2021-Present) .773
9. Ivana Raca (2017-21) .765
10. Amber Campbell (2014-18) .755
 
Wake Forest has seen a massive uptick in free throw shooting percentage, going from 66.0 percent (343-of-520) in 2022-23 to 73.1 percent (324-of-447) in 2023-24.
 
Not only are the Deacs having a resurgent season at the line but one of the best in program history:
 
Rank Single-Season FT Percentage Year
1. .753 (461-of-612) 2004-05
2. .741 (317-of-428) 2020-21
3. .725 (324-of-447) 2023-24
4. .724 (397-of-548) 2005-06
5. .719 (323-of-449) 1993-94
6. .707 (475-of-672) 1991-92
7. .694 (279-of-546) 2021-22
8. .693 (392-of-566) 1985-86
9. .691 (449-of-650) 1990-91
10. .686 (374-of-545) 1992-93
LAST TIME
Wake Forest vs. Florida State (March 7)
Result: L, 53-70
  • After advancing in the tournament for the fifth-consecutive season Wednesday night, the Demon Deacons were unable to complete its second 15-point comeback in as many nights. Wake Forest forced the Seminoles into 14 turnovers, as the Deacs finished the season forcing at least 10 turnovers in every game except for one.
  • The Deacs own a 7-5 record over the past five years in ACC Tournament action including three runs to the ACC Quarterfinals in 2023, 2021 and 2020.
  • Graduate student Alexandria Scruggs, who played in her final game as a Demon Deacon, led the team with 14 points on an efficient 6-of-8 shooting, including a 2-of-2 clip from beyond the arc. She completed her final campaign averaging a career-best 7.6 points per game. The Fayettville-native ended with 923 points during her five seasons at Wake Forest and holds the program record with 149 career games played.
  • Fellow graduate student guard Kaia Harrison who's 145 games played ranks second in program history also notched double figures in her final appearance for the Deacs, as she tallied 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting in addition to five rebounds and a pair of assists. She finished second on the team averaging 8.9 points per game and 2.8 assists per game. Of note, it marked her 14th instance of scoring 10-or-more points in a game this season.
SERIES HISTORY
Versus Queens (N.C.)
Series: First matchup
  • The Demon Deacons are 18-7 all-time against Atlantic Sun teams with the last matchup coming against Mercer during the 2022-23 season as the Demon Deacons defeated the Bears, 70-45, on School Day.
UP NEXT
Following Opening Night at LJVM Coliseum, the Demon Deacons are on the road for the next two games as they travel to Charlotte on Thursday night for a tilt with the 49ers. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
 
Last season, Charlotte finished 16-15 overall and 9-9 in the American. They are led by first-year head coach Tomekia Reed who comes in from Jackson State.
 
The Demon Deacons have won 11 of the last 13 matchups against the 49ers.
Coach Jake Dickert Press Conference (Sept. 22, 2025)
Monday, September 22
Wake Forest Football Head Coach Jake Dickert Press Conference (Week 5)
Monday, September 22
Football Media Availability (9/18/25)
Thursday, September 18
Matt Barrie SportsCenter at Wake Forest with Demond Claiborne
Wednesday, September 10