Thursday, February 29
Winston-Salem, N.C.
6:00 p.m.
Wake Forest University
vs
Clemson
Deacs Bring Winning Ways Back to LJVM Coliseum Thursday
2/28/2024 2:34:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Wake Forest will look to claim its third-consecutive conference win Thursday night in the regular season home finale against Clemson with the 6:00 p.m. tipoff airing on ACC Network.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Wake Forest women's basketball team will look to extend its winning streak to three-straight games Thursday night when the Demon Deacons play host to Clemson for the penultimate game of the regular season and the regular season home finale at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
After going 2-0 last week with road wins at Pitt and Georgia Tech, the Demon Deacons (6-22, 2-14 ACC) will be looking to extend their ACC winning streak to three games. The last time that the Demon Deacons had an ACC winning streak of three or more games came during the 2020-21 NCAA Tournament season when the Deacs defeated Georgia Tech, Pitt and Clemson from Feb. 7-Feb. 14, 2021. A third-consecutive win could also move Wake Forest into a tie for 13th in the conference standings with Boston College heading into the final game of the regular season. The Deacs will be also in search of their third top-100 NET win of the season and second consecutive after beating No. 69 Georgia Tech on Sunday afternoon. In the last 19 contests dating back to 2011, Wake Forest holds an impressive 12-7 mark against the Tigers and only once during that stretch did the Deacs not split or win both games in the season series. Wake Forest has navigated one of the most difficult schedules in the country, as the Deacs' average opponent NET now ranks fifth nationally with only UConn, Stanford, NC State and Maryland having played a more challenging schedule.
The Tigers (11-17, 4-12 ACC) have lost five-straight games entering Thursday night's contest with three of the losses coming by six points or less. With a 2-0 week from Wake Forest and an 0-2 week from Clemson, the Demon Deacons could pass the Tigers in the conference standings as the Deacs would win the tiebreaker over Clemson. This season the Tigers have been one of the highest volume shooting teams from three in the ACC, attempting 21.5 per game which ranks fourth in the league while their 6.9 makes per game ranks fifth in the ACC. Clemson has also limited its fouls against opponents as they rank 78th nationally and fifth in the ACC with just 15.2 fouls per game. They are led by graduate forward Amari Robinson who averages 17.4 points per game which is seventh in the league and 72nd nationally. Point guard Dayshanette Harris is sixth in the league with 5.1 assists per game and she also ranks fourth in the ACC with 152 free throw attempts this season.
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 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).
CHASING 1000
Junior guard Elise Williams is chasing history Thursday night as she reaches for the 1,000-point mark for her career.
She goes into the Clemson game with 983 career points, just 17 points away from becoming the 31st player in program history to reach the 1,000-point milestone. Williams needs 5.7 points per game over the last three guaranteed games for the Deacs this season to get to the 1,000-point milestone.
ELISE'S HISTORIC PERFORMANCES
Junior guard Elise Williams recorded her third-career double-double as she notched 14 points and 10 rebounds in addition to seven assists against Boston College. 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.
Against Georgia Tech, she followed that up with another historic night and her second double-double of the season. Williams led the Deacs with 23 points and 11 rebounds along with three assists and one steal.
It marked the first 20-point/10-rebound performance by a Wake Forest player since Feb. 24, 2022 against Syracuse. Additionally, it was the first 23-plus point and 11-plus rebound game by a Wake Forest player since Ivana Raca in a 83-73 win over North Carolina on March 4, 2020.
Williams led the team with 17 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals against Florida State Thursday. She became the fifth Demon Deacon in the HerHoopsStats era (2009-10) to record that statline (17 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals) and first since Gina Conti on Nov. 28, 2020. It also marked her 11th game this season with double-digit points and sixth time in ACC play.
In the most recent game against Georgia Tech, Williams had a career-high 31-point outing, shooting a stellar 10-of-15 from the floor and 3-of-5 from beyond the arc. This marked the first 30-point game since Jewel Spear had 34 points in a win over Louisville on Jan. 26, 2023. Williams became just the 21st player in program history to score 30 or more points in a single game.
Since the start of ACC play, Williams leads the team with 13.8 points per game while also averaging 5.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game.
SHARPSHOOTERS
Last week, the Demon Deacons lit up the three-point line, shooting a scorching 43.6 percent on 17-of-39 shooting. The 43.6 percent from behind the arc ranked 25th nationally for the week and was second in the ACC.
The Deacs have now shot 40 percent or better from behind the arc in five of the last eight games including both games last week.
Overall, the 2023-24 Wake Forest team has knocked down 177 threes this season which ranks sixth in program history:
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. 5 in the Average Opponent NET Rank metric in the country. This includes 10 games against NET top-50 teams and 21 teams in the NET top-100:
NCAA Average Opponent NET Rank
1. UConn
2. Stanford
3. NC State
4. Maryland
5. Wake Forest
5. UCLA
5. Tennessee
Additionally since the start of conference play, all but six teams that Wake Forest has played were either ranked or receiving votes in the AP Poll.
The strong schedule has seen Wake Forest rise 28 spots overall in the NET rankings since the start of conference play.
AUSSIE, AUSSIE, AUSSIE
Redshirt freshman guard Kate Deeble finished a stellar 5-of-5 (100 percent) from beyond-the-arc and 7-of-9 from the floor in addition to an assist in the Deacs win over Pitt on Thursday. Her five threes are the most by a Demon Deacon this season and most since Feb. 19, 2023. Of note, she is the first Wake Forest player in the HerHoopsStats era (2009-10) to knock down at least five three-pointers without a miss.
Her 20 points were a career-high, becoming the third player this season (Elise Williams and Madisyn Jordan) to score 20 points in a single game.
Deeble has been a catalyst on the defensive end of the floor, recording a career-high five steals against North Carolina. It helped lead the Demon Deacons to 24 turnovers, which was the most turnovers in the Courtney Banghart era and the most since the 2018-19 season when North Carolina turned it over 27 times against Auburn on Dec. 20, 2018.
COWLES GETS IT GOING
Malaya Cowles finished the night against North Carolina with 10 points and three rebounds, one assist and one block.
Additionally, she has shot a stellar 70-of-120 (58.3 percent) from the floor while inside LJVM Coliseum.
SCRUGGS MAKING MOST OF SENIOR SEASON
Alexandria Scruggs made her 145th 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. 145
2. Kaia Harrison 2019-Pres. 141
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
Through 27 games she ranks second on the team with 4.7 rebounds per game, her highest average of her career by nearly 1.0 rebounds per game.
On Sunday, she finished the game with 10 points to go along with three assists, two rebounds and two blocks. This marked her eighth double figure game of the season with six coming during conference play.
Her 207 points this season are the most she has had in her career and her 7.4 points per game is the highest average of his career. She now has 886 points during her five seasons at Wake Forest.
ASSISTS ON MADE BASKETS
The Demon Deacons recorded 18 assists on 26 made baskets (69.2 percent) versus the Yellowjackets.
This season, the Deacs have assisted 359 of 611 made field goals (58.8 percent). This matches the same percentage from last season and ranks in the 72nd percentile.
Additionally, the 18 assists were the second most this season, trailing just the Saint Louis win when the Deacs had 24 assists.
This was the 23rd time this season that Wake Forest had 10 or more assists in a single game and the 21st time in the last 24 games.
Last week, the Demon Deacons had 34 assists over the two wins which was the highest total and the 17.0 assists per game were the highest average in the conference.
Additionally, Wake Forest had a 1.48/1 assist/turnover ratio last week which ranked 35th nationally and second in the ACC. Alexandria Scruggs helped lead in the assist/turnover ratio as her 7/1 assist/turnover ratio led the ACC and ranked 11th nationally during this past week.
FORCING TURNOVERS
Defensively, the Demon Deacons forced double-digit turnovers for the 38th time in the last 39 games, with the lone game coming against Syracuse on Jan. 11. The 39-game stretch goes back to January of 2022. In total, the Deacs forced 12 turnovers against Georgia Tech which resulted in 21 points off turnovers on the other end.
Over the last six games, the Deacs are averaging 17.2 turnovers forced per game.
In total, the Deacs forced 24 turnovers against North Carolina. This was the most turnovers in the Courtney Banghart era and the most since the 2018-19 season when North Carolina turned it over 27 times against Auburn on Dec. 20, 2018. Additionally, Wake Forest forced All-ACC Deja Kelly into a career-high eight turnovers.
In total, the Deacs forced 18 turnovers against Duke, the second-most forced turnovers in an ACC game by Wake Forest this season and most since the 20 against Clemson on Jan. 28.
This included 13 turnovers in the first half alone which resulted in 11 points on the other end in the opening 20 minutes.
In total, the Deacs forced 20 turnovers by Clemson. This included nine steals from five different players.
The 20 turnovers are the second-highest total forced in ACC play both this season and during the Gebbia era as well as tied for the third-highest total this season, marking the most since forcing 25 in the opening game of the North Shore Showcase against BYU:
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)
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 Sunday against Georgia Tech. Overall this season, Harrison is 85-of-102 (83.3 pct.), ranking fifth in the ACC and 74th nationally in free throw percentage.
Junior Elise Williams is averaging a career-best 80.7 percent from the stripe (71-of-88) this season, ranking eighth in percentage in the league. Additionally, she is now ranked ninth in program history in career free throw percentage:
Through 28 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 72.2 percent (285-of-395) this season.
On Sunday, the team went 12-of-15 from the charity stripe (80.0 percent). This is the 12th time in the last 14 games the Demon Deacons have shot 70 percent or better.
Not only are the Deacs having a resurgent season at the line but one of the best in program history:
LEAP DAY GAMES
This will mark the third time in program history that the Demon Deacons will play on Feb. 29 with the previous two occasions coming during the 1992 and 2004 seasons.
The Deacs hold a record of 1-1 all-time with a win coming in 2004 against Clemson, 63-61.
LAST TIME
Wake Forest vs. Georgia Tech (Feb. 25)
Result: W, 71-66
Versus Clemson
Series: Clemson leads 55-27
Last Time: January 28, 2024
Result: L, 59-73
Wake Forest hits the road Sunday for the finale game of the regular season when the Demon Deacons play at No. 12 NC State for a Big-4 clash at Reynolds Coliseum.
The 2:00 p.m. tipoff against the nationally-ranked Wolfpack will also air on ACC Network Extra.
After going 2-0 last week with road wins at Pitt and Georgia Tech, the Demon Deacons (6-22, 2-14 ACC) will be looking to extend their ACC winning streak to three games. The last time that the Demon Deacons had an ACC winning streak of three or more games came during the 2020-21 NCAA Tournament season when the Deacs defeated Georgia Tech, Pitt and Clemson from Feb. 7-Feb. 14, 2021. A third-consecutive win could also move Wake Forest into a tie for 13th in the conference standings with Boston College heading into the final game of the regular season. The Deacs will be also in search of their third top-100 NET win of the season and second consecutive after beating No. 69 Georgia Tech on Sunday afternoon. In the last 19 contests dating back to 2011, Wake Forest holds an impressive 12-7 mark against the Tigers and only once during that stretch did the Deacs not split or win both games in the season series. Wake Forest has navigated one of the most difficult schedules in the country, as the Deacs' average opponent NET now ranks fifth nationally with only UConn, Stanford, NC State and Maryland having played a more challenging schedule.
The Tigers (11-17, 4-12 ACC) have lost five-straight games entering Thursday night's contest with three of the losses coming by six points or less. With a 2-0 week from Wake Forest and an 0-2 week from Clemson, the Demon Deacons could pass the Tigers in the conference standings as the Deacs would win the tiebreaker over Clemson. This season the Tigers have been one of the highest volume shooting teams from three in the ACC, attempting 21.5 per game which ranks fourth in the league while their 6.9 makes per game ranks fifth in the ACC. Clemson has also limited its fouls against opponents as they rank 78th nationally and fifth in the ACC with just 15.2 fouls per game. They are led by graduate forward Amari Robinson who averages 17.4 points per game which is seventh in the league and 72nd nationally. Point guard Dayshanette Harris is sixth in the league with 5.1 assists per game and she also ranks fourth in the ACC with 152 free throw attempts this season.
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 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).
CHASING 1000
Junior guard Elise Williams is chasing history Thursday night as she reaches for the 1,000-point mark for her career.
She goes into the Clemson game with 983 career points, just 17 points away from becoming the 31st player in program history to reach the 1,000-point milestone. Williams needs 5.7 points per game over the last three guaranteed games for the Deacs this season to get to the 1,000-point milestone.
ELISE'S HISTORIC PERFORMANCES
Junior guard Elise Williams recorded her third-career double-double as she notched 14 points and 10 rebounds in addition to seven assists against Boston College. 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 |
Against Georgia Tech, she followed that up with another historic night and her second double-double of the season. Williams led the Deacs with 23 points and 11 rebounds along with three assists and one steal.
It marked the first 20-point/10-rebound performance by a Wake Forest player since Feb. 24, 2022 against Syracuse. Additionally, it was the first 23-plus point and 11-plus rebound game by a Wake Forest player since Ivana Raca in a 83-73 win over North Carolina on March 4, 2020.
Williams led the team with 17 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals against Florida State Thursday. She became the fifth Demon Deacon in the HerHoopsStats era (2009-10) to record that statline (17 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals) and first since Gina Conti on Nov. 28, 2020. It also marked her 11th game this season with double-digit points and sixth time in ACC play.
In the most recent game against Georgia Tech, Williams had a career-high 31-point outing, shooting a stellar 10-of-15 from the floor and 3-of-5 from beyond the arc. This marked the first 30-point game since Jewel Spear had 34 points in a win over Louisville on Jan. 26, 2023. Williams became just the 21st player in program history to score 30 or more points in a single game.
Since the start of ACC play, Williams leads the team with 13.8 points per game while also averaging 5.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game.
SHARPSHOOTERS
Last week, the Demon Deacons lit up the three-point line, shooting a scorching 43.6 percent on 17-of-39 shooting. The 43.6 percent from behind the arc ranked 25th nationally for the week and was second in the ACC.
The Deacs have now shot 40 percent or better from behind the arc in five of the last eight games including both games last week.
Overall, the 2023-24 Wake Forest team has knocked down 177 threes this season which ranks sixth in program history:
| Rank | Single-Season Threes Made | Year |
| 1. | 275 | 2004-05 |
| 2. | 227 | 2022-23 |
| 3. | 215 | 2005-06 |
| 4. | 195 | 2021-22 |
| 5. | 179 | 2008-09 |
| 6. | 177 | 2023-24 |
| T7. | 172 | 2009-10 |
| T7. | 172 | 1998-99 |
| T9. | 167 | 2012-13 |
| T9. | 167 | 2010-11 |
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. 5 in the Average Opponent NET Rank metric in the country. This includes 10 games against NET top-50 teams and 21 teams in the NET top-100:
NCAA Average Opponent NET Rank
1. UConn
2. Stanford
3. NC State
4. Maryland
5. Wake Forest
5. UCLA
5. Tennessee
Additionally since the start of conference play, all but six teams that Wake Forest has played were either ranked or receiving votes in the AP Poll.
The strong schedule has seen Wake Forest rise 28 spots overall in the NET rankings since the start of conference play.
AUSSIE, AUSSIE, AUSSIE
Redshirt freshman guard Kate Deeble finished a stellar 5-of-5 (100 percent) from beyond-the-arc and 7-of-9 from the floor in addition to an assist in the Deacs win over Pitt on Thursday. Her five threes are the most by a Demon Deacon this season and most since Feb. 19, 2023. Of note, she is the first Wake Forest player in the HerHoopsStats era (2009-10) to knock down at least five three-pointers without a miss.
Her 20 points were a career-high, becoming the third player this season (Elise Williams and Madisyn Jordan) to score 20 points in a single game.
Deeble has been a catalyst on the defensive end of the floor, recording a career-high five steals against North Carolina. It helped lead the Demon Deacons to 24 turnovers, which was the most turnovers in the Courtney Banghart era and the most since the 2018-19 season when North Carolina turned it over 27 times against Auburn on Dec. 20, 2018.
COWLES GETS IT GOING
Malaya Cowles finished the night against North Carolina with 10 points and three rebounds, one assist and one block.
Additionally, she has shot a stellar 70-of-120 (58.3 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
SCRUGGS MAKING MOST OF SENIOR SEASON
Alexandria Scruggs made her 145th 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. 145
2. Kaia Harrison 2019-Pres. 141
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
Through 27 games she ranks second on the team with 4.7 rebounds per game, her highest average of her career by nearly 1.0 rebounds per game.
On Sunday, she finished the game with 10 points to go along with three assists, two rebounds and two blocks. This marked her eighth double figure game of the season with six coming during conference play.
Her 207 points this season are the most she has had in her career and her 7.4 points per game is the highest average of his career. She now has 886 points during her five seasons at Wake Forest.
ASSISTS ON MADE BASKETS
The Demon Deacons recorded 18 assists on 26 made baskets (69.2 percent) versus the Yellowjackets.
This season, the Deacs have assisted 359 of 611 made field goals (58.8 percent). This matches the same percentage from last season and ranks in the 72nd percentile.
Additionally, the 18 assists were the second most this season, trailing just the Saint Louis win when the Deacs had 24 assists.
This was the 23rd time this season that Wake Forest had 10 or more assists in a single game and the 21st time in the last 24 games.
Last week, the Demon Deacons had 34 assists over the two wins which was the highest total and the 17.0 assists per game were the highest average in the conference.
Additionally, Wake Forest had a 1.48/1 assist/turnover ratio last week which ranked 35th nationally and second in the ACC. Alexandria Scruggs helped lead in the assist/turnover ratio as her 7/1 assist/turnover ratio led the ACC and ranked 11th nationally during this past week.
FORCING TURNOVERS
Defensively, the Demon Deacons forced double-digit turnovers for the 38th time in the last 39 games, with the lone game coming against Syracuse on Jan. 11. The 39-game stretch goes back to January of 2022. In total, the Deacs forced 12 turnovers against Georgia Tech which resulted in 21 points off turnovers on the other end.
Over the last six games, the Deacs are averaging 17.2 turnovers forced per game.
In total, the Deacs forced 24 turnovers against North Carolina. This was the most turnovers in the Courtney Banghart era and the most since the 2018-19 season when North Carolina turned it over 27 times against Auburn on Dec. 20, 2018. Additionally, Wake Forest forced All-ACC Deja Kelly into a career-high eight turnovers.
In total, the Deacs forced 18 turnovers against Duke, the second-most forced turnovers in an ACC game by Wake Forest this season and most since the 20 against Clemson on Jan. 28.
This included 13 turnovers in the first half alone which resulted in 11 points on the other end in the opening 20 minutes.
In total, the Deacs forced 20 turnovers by Clemson. This included nine steals from five different players.
The 20 turnovers are the second-highest total forced in ACC play both this season and during the Gebbia era as well as tied for the third-highest total this season, marking the most since forcing 25 in the opening game of the North Shore Showcase against BYU:
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)
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 Sunday against Georgia Tech. Overall this season, Harrison is 85-of-102 (83.3 pct.), ranking fifth in the ACC and 74th nationally in free throw percentage.
Junior Elise Williams is averaging a career-best 80.7 percent from the stripe (71-of-88) this season, ranking eighth in percentage in the league. Additionally, she is now ranked ninth 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. | Ivana Raca (2017-21) | .765 |
| 9. | Elise Williams (2021-Present) | .760 |
| 10. | Amber Campbell (2014-18) | .755 |
Through 28 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 72.2 percent (285-of-395) this season.
On Sunday, the team went 12-of-15 from the charity stripe (80.0 percent). This is the 12th time in the last 14 games the Demon Deacons have shot 70 percent or better.
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. | .724 (397-of-548) | 2005-06 |
| 4. | .722 (285-of-395) | 2023-24 |
| 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 |
LEAP DAY GAMES
This will mark the third time in program history that the Demon Deacons will play on Feb. 29 with the previous two occasions coming during the 1992 and 2004 seasons.
The Deacs hold a record of 1-1 all-time with a win coming in 2004 against Clemson, 63-61.
LAST TIME
Wake Forest vs. Georgia Tech (Feb. 25)
Result: W, 71-66
- The victory marked the first time this season that the Demon Deacons have won back-to-back games after their win over Pitt on Thursday (Feb. 22). Additionally, Sunday marked the first time that the Deacs have won back-to-back ACC games since defeating Louisville and Miami at home on Jan. 26 and Jan. 29, 2023 and the first time Wake Forest has won back-to-back road games in the ACC since beating Georgia Tech and Clemson on Feb. 7 and Feb. 14, 2021.
- Wake Forest was led by a career-high 31-point outing from Williams, who shot a stellar 10-of-15 from the floor and 3-of-5 from beyond the arc. Williams, a native of Raleigh, added six rebounds and four assists, while going nearly perfect (8-of-9) from the charity stripe.
- As a team, Wake Forest shot an impressive 77.8 percent (7-for-9) from the field in the fourth quarter, while assisting on six of the seven made baskets. Overall, the Demon Deacons logged 18 assists on 26 made baskets (69 percent) for the contest. It was the second-highest total this season, trailing just a 24-assist performance against Saint Louis.
Versus Clemson
Series: Clemson leads 55-27
Last Time: January 28, 2024
Result: L, 59-73
- The Demon Deacons showed a spirited fight in the third and fourth quarters, outsourcing the Tigers 34-23 in the final 20 minutes. Wake Forest limited Clemson 6-of-20 from the field including 0-of-6 from three-point range and 11 of the Tigers' second half points came at the free throw line.
- In total Wake Forest forced 20 turnovers on the night, tying the second-most this season with the only other higher total coming against BYU during the North Shore Showcase. Additionally, the 20 turnovers are the highest total forced in ACC play both this season and during the Gebbia era.
- Offensively, Wake Forest was led by an inspiring performance from graduate guard Alexandria Scruggs. Despite having early foul trouble, the Fayetteville, N.C. native finished the night with a team-high 14 points on 7-of-10 field goals while also collecting three rebounds.
Wake Forest hits the road Sunday for the finale game of the regular season when the Demon Deacons play at No. 12 NC State for a Big-4 clash at Reynolds Coliseum.
The 2:00 p.m. tipoff against the nationally-ranked Wolfpack will also air on ACC Network Extra.
Players Mentioned
Forward
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
Forward
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
/ Women's BasketballFootball Media Availability (9/18/25)
Thursday, September 18
Matt Barrie SportsCenter at Wake Forest with Demond Claiborne
Wednesday, September 10
Matt Barrie SportsCenter on Wake Forest Campus (Arnold Palmer Complex)
Wednesday, September 10
Football Media Availability (9/9/25)
Wednesday, September 10