Friday, December 20
Winston-Salem, N.C.
3 p.m.
Wake Forest University
vs
UNC Greensboro
Deacs to Close 2024 Against UNC-Greensboro
12/19/2024 4:25:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Demon Deacons will host the Spartans in the non-conference finale on Friday at 3 p.m.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – In the final non-conference clash of the 2024-25 season, the Wake Forest women's basketball team is set to close out the calendar year as it hosts UNC-Greensboro Friday afternoon at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
The Demon Deacons (6-5, 0-1 ACC) are looking to bounce back after a close loss to Clemson on Sunday in the ACC opener. Freshman guard Aurora Sørbye led the team with 12 points on the day for her second-career game with double-digit points. She also hauled in two rebounds and denied two Clemson shots in a career-high 26 minutes off the bench.
Wake Forest's early success this season has come on the backs of strong defensive play as the Deacs currently rank 24th in the country and second in the ACC in scoring defense as teams are averaging just 54.4 points per game this season. Additionally, the Deacs field goal defense ranks 43rd nationally entering Friday. The Demon Deacons also rank top 10 in the conference with 9.5 steals per game.
The Spartans (7-4, 0-0 SoCon) have also been strong on the defensive end this season, holding opponents to just 53.6 points per game, the 17th-best mark in the country and best in the SoCon. Wake Forest will be UNC-Greensboro's third-consecutive power four opponent, as the Spartans dropped their most recent contests to Georgia (52-59) and No. 14 North Carolina (56-80) after opening the season 7-2.
Tipoff for Friday is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. (ET) at LJVM Coliseum.
For those not at the arena, fans can tune in to ACC Network Extra for Friday's game. A live stats feed can be found here for Friday. 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).
1K AND COUNTING
Williams reached 1,000 points in the regular season home finale against Clemson last season. She entered the 2024-25 season ranked 28th in program history in scoring with 1,065 in 99 career games. Williams has added to that total, scoring 97 points so far this season.
Williams will now look to move up the scoring list on Friday afternoon as she is 23rd and is 10 points away from Beth Davis (1988-91) for 22nd:
HOME COOKING WITH COWLES
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.
She is off to a similar start in this season, shooting 62.5 percent overall at LJVM Coliseum (30-of-48 FG) including shooting 77.8 percent from the field against Queens (7-of-9 FG), 87.5 percent from the field against Gardner-Webb (7-of-8) and 88.9 percent from the field against Campbell (8-of-9).
ASSISTS ON MADE BASKETS
The Deacs have done an excellent job of moving the ball so far this season, as they have assisted on 152 of 258 made baskets this season (58.9 pct.). Additionally over the last eight games, the Demon Deacons have assisted on 112 of 178 made baskets or 63 percent.
Against Gardner-Webb, the Deacs finished with 20 assists on 29 made baskets (69.0 pct.). The Deacs did a great job against Fairfiled with 17 assists on 26 made baskets (65.4 pct.) and Davidson with 16 assists on 20 made baskets (80.0 pct.). Against George Mason, the Deacs tallied eight assists on 11 made baskets (72.7 pct.). Against Winthrop the Demon Deacons had 20 assists on 26 made baskets (76.9 pct.). This marked the most assists for Wake Forest since they recorded 24 against Saint Louis on Nov. 20, 2023.
Last season, the Deacs assisted 404 of 694 made field goals (58.2 percent).
FORCING TURNOVERS
Forcing the Tigers into 10 turnovers, Wake Forest forced double-digit turnovers for the 52nd time in the last 53 games, with the lone game coming against Syracuse on Jan. 11, 2024. The 53-game stretch goes back to January of 2022. Through 11 games this season, Wake Forest has also totaled 105 steals. On the opposite end, Wake Forest has taken care of the basketball, allowing opponents just 63 swipeaways through the first 11 contests.
In total, the Deacs forced 20 turnovers against George Mason, the third time this season that the Deacs have forced 20 or more turnovers. The three games with 20-plus turnovers forced nearly matches the total number of games last season when the Deacs finished with four such games.
Additionally, the Deacs have forced 15.4 turnovers per game this season.
In total, the Deacs forced 24 turnovers against the 49ers, the second time this season that the Deacs have forced 20 or more turnovers. This marks just the second time since 2018-19 that the Demon Deacons have forced 20 or more turnovers in back-to-back games.
The Deacs forced 26 turnovers against the Royals to open the season on Nov. 4, the most in a game since the victory over BYU on Nov. 18, 2023. It resulted in 39 points on the offensive end of the floor.
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
The Demon Deacons have shot 75 percent or from the line in six of the first 11 games of the 2024-25 season, including a season-high last time out against Clemson at 90 percent (9-of-10).
A key to the Demon Deacons success this season has been the massive improvement at the line from Demeara Hinds. She came into the season shooting just 37.3 percent from the stripe (38-of-102 FT) and this season is nearly 40 percent better at the line, knocking down 72.2 percent (26-of-36 FT).
Elise Williams averaged a career-best 82.8 percent from the stripe (96-of-116). Additionally with the help of going 10-of-12 from the line to start the season, she is now ranks eighth in program history in career free throw percentage:
Last season, Wake Forest saw 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 did the Deacs having a resurgent season at the line last season but one of the best in program history:
SHARPSHOOTERS
The Deacs have gotten off to a quick start from behind the arc in the 2024-25 season, knocking down 62 threes in the first 11 games (5.6 3FGM per game). Additionally, the Deacs came into the game, knocking down 30.7 percent of their threes.
Overall, the 2023-24 Wake Forest team knocked down 204 threes this season which ranks fourth in program history:
LAST TIME
Clemson at Wake Forest (December 15)
Result: L – 65-59
Versus UNC-Greensboro
Series: Wake Forest leads 8-5
Last: Nov. 14, 2021
Result: W – 56-45
UP NEXT
The Demon Deacons will now return to conference play as they open 2025 with a road test against Virginia on Thursday, January 2nd.
Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. on ACC Network Extra.
Women's Basketball Tickets
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 are also on sale and will only be available for Sunday games.
The Demon Deacons (6-5, 0-1 ACC) are looking to bounce back after a close loss to Clemson on Sunday in the ACC opener. Freshman guard Aurora Sørbye led the team with 12 points on the day for her second-career game with double-digit points. She also hauled in two rebounds and denied two Clemson shots in a career-high 26 minutes off the bench.
Wake Forest's early success this season has come on the backs of strong defensive play as the Deacs currently rank 24th in the country and second in the ACC in scoring defense as teams are averaging just 54.4 points per game this season. Additionally, the Deacs field goal defense ranks 43rd nationally entering Friday. The Demon Deacons also rank top 10 in the conference with 9.5 steals per game.
The Spartans (7-4, 0-0 SoCon) have also been strong on the defensive end this season, holding opponents to just 53.6 points per game, the 17th-best mark in the country and best in the SoCon. Wake Forest will be UNC-Greensboro's third-consecutive power four opponent, as the Spartans dropped their most recent contests to Georgia (52-59) and No. 14 North Carolina (56-80) after opening the season 7-2.
Tipoff for Friday is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. (ET) at LJVM Coliseum.
For those not at the arena, fans can tune in to ACC Network Extra for Friday's game. A live stats feed can be found here for Friday. 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).
1K AND COUNTING
Williams reached 1,000 points in the regular season home finale against Clemson last season. She entered the 2024-25 season ranked 28th in program history in scoring with 1,065 in 99 career games. Williams has added to that total, scoring 97 points so far this season.
Williams will now look to move up the scoring list on Friday afternoon as she is 23rd and is 10 points away from Beth Davis (1988-91) for 22nd:
| Rank | Player | Career Points |
| 22. | Beth Davis (1988-91) | 1,172 |
| 23. | Elise Williams (2021-Pres.) | 1,162 |
| 24. | Alex Sharp (2016-20) | 1,149 |
| 25. | Raeanna Mulholland (1993-97) | 1,110 |
| 26. | Sicily Ray (2008-12) | 1,099 |
| 27. | Ariel Stephenson (2015-19) | 1,079 |
| 28. | Tonia Brown (2000-04) | 1,073 |
| 29. | Erin Ferrell (2001-05) | 1,044 |
| 30. | Gina Conti (2017-21) | 1,037 |
| 31. | Barbara Buchanan (1980-84) | 1,023 |
HOME COOKING WITH COWLES
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.
She is off to a similar start in this season, shooting 62.5 percent overall at LJVM Coliseum (30-of-48 FG) including shooting 77.8 percent from the field against Queens (7-of-9 FG), 87.5 percent from the field against Gardner-Webb (7-of-8) and 88.9 percent from the field against Campbell (8-of-9).
ASSISTS ON MADE BASKETS
The Deacs have done an excellent job of moving the ball so far this season, as they have assisted on 152 of 258 made baskets this season (58.9 pct.). Additionally over the last eight games, the Demon Deacons have assisted on 112 of 178 made baskets or 63 percent.
Against Gardner-Webb, the Deacs finished with 20 assists on 29 made baskets (69.0 pct.). The Deacs did a great job against Fairfiled with 17 assists on 26 made baskets (65.4 pct.) and Davidson with 16 assists on 20 made baskets (80.0 pct.). Against George Mason, the Deacs tallied eight assists on 11 made baskets (72.7 pct.). Against Winthrop the Demon Deacons had 20 assists on 26 made baskets (76.9 pct.). This marked the most assists for Wake Forest since they recorded 24 against Saint Louis on Nov. 20, 2023.
Last season, the Deacs assisted 404 of 694 made field goals (58.2 percent).
FORCING TURNOVERS
Forcing the Tigers into 10 turnovers, Wake Forest forced double-digit turnovers for the 52nd time in the last 53 games, with the lone game coming against Syracuse on Jan. 11, 2024. The 53-game stretch goes back to January of 2022. Through 11 games this season, Wake Forest has also totaled 105 steals. On the opposite end, Wake Forest has taken care of the basketball, allowing opponents just 63 swipeaways through the first 11 contests.
In total, the Deacs forced 20 turnovers against George Mason, the third time this season that the Deacs have forced 20 or more turnovers. The three games with 20-plus turnovers forced nearly matches the total number of games last season when the Deacs finished with four such games.
Additionally, the Deacs have forced 15.4 turnovers per game this season.
In total, the Deacs forced 24 turnovers against the 49ers, the second time this season that the Deacs have forced 20 or more turnovers. This marks just the second time since 2018-19 that the Demon Deacons have forced 20 or more turnovers in back-to-back games.
The Deacs forced 26 turnovers against the Royals to open the season on Nov. 4, the most in a game since the victory over BYU on Nov. 18, 2023. It resulted in 39 points on the offensive end of the floor.
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
The Demon Deacons have shot 75 percent or from the line in six of the first 11 games of the 2024-25 season, including a season-high last time out against Clemson at 90 percent (9-of-10).
A key to the Demon Deacons success this season has been the massive improvement at the line from Demeara Hinds. She came into the season shooting just 37.3 percent from the stripe (38-of-102 FT) and this season is nearly 40 percent better at the line, knocking down 72.2 percent (26-of-36 FT).
Elise Williams averaged a career-best 82.8 percent from the stripe (96-of-116). Additionally with the help of going 10-of-12 from the line to start the season, 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) | .775 |
| 9. | Ivana Raca (2017-21) | .765 |
| 10. | Amber Campbell (2014-18) | .755 |
Last season, Wake Forest saw 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 did the Deacs having a resurgent season at the line last season 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 |
SHARPSHOOTERS
The Deacs have gotten off to a quick start from behind the arc in the 2024-25 season, knocking down 62 threes in the first 11 games (5.6 3FGM per game). Additionally, the Deacs came into the game, knocking down 30.7 percent of their threes.
Overall, the 2023-24 Wake Forest team knocked down 204 threes this 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 |
Clemson at Wake Forest (December 15)
Result: L – 65-59
- In the first ACC matchup of the 2024-25 campaign, the Wake Forest women's basketball team dropped a tightly-contested matchup, 65-59, to Clemson Sunday afternoon at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
- The Deacs finished 22-of-47 (46.8 percent) from the floor Sunday afternoon, the third-highest percentage of the season and best since the win over Winthrop on Nov. 17. Over half of Wake Forest's points came from inside the paint, as the Deacs outscored the Tigers 30-to-20 inside. Of note, Wake Forest is +64 in the paint against their opponents over the last three games.
- The Demon Deacons also excelled at the free throw line, as they connected on nine of their 10 attempts (90 percent) for their highest percentage from the stripe this season.
- Individually, freshman guard Aurora Sørbye led the team with 12 points on the day for her second-career game with double-digit points. She also hauled in two rebounds and denied two Clemson shots in a career-high 26 minutes off the bench.
Versus UNC-Greensboro
Series: Wake Forest leads 8-5
Last: Nov. 14, 2021
Result: W – 56-45
- Wake Forest has played hosts to UNCG in nine-consecutive games between the two schools dating back to 1979, with the Demon Deacons holding a 6-2 record against the Spartans during that span.
- Overall, Wake Forest is 7-3 against UNCG at home.
- Despite both schools being located in the triad, this will be just the fourth meeting between the schools since the turn of the century.
- In addition to Wake Forest's most recent victory over the Spartans in 2021, the Deacs also picked up a dominant 62-27 home win in 2008.
- The last UNC-Greensboro win in the series came in 2019.
UP NEXT
The Demon Deacons will now return to conference play as they open 2025 with a road test against Virginia on Thursday, January 2nd.
Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. on ACC Network Extra.
Women's Basketball Tickets
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 are also on sale and will only be available for Sunday games.
Players Mentioned
Forward
/ Women's Basketball
Forward
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
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