Thursday, February 8
Durham, NC
7:00 p.m.
Wake Forest University
at
Duke
Deacs Set for Big-4 Matchup at Duke
2/7/2024 7:11:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Wake Forest will look to claim its first conference win and road win of the season Thursday night in Durham, N.C. with the 7:00 p.m. tipoff airing on ACC Network Extra.
DURHAM, N.C. – The Wake Forest women's basketball team gets its first test against a Big-4 opponent Thursday night when the Deacs travel to Duke for a primetime matchup in Cameron Indoor Stadium.
The Demon Deacons (4-18, 0-10 ACC) will be looking for their highest NET win of the season and Quad-1 win as Duke currently sits at No. 23 in the latest release of the ranking. The Demon Deacons have split the last two matchups against the Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Wake Forest has navigated one of the most difficult schedules in the country, as the Deacs' average opponent NET now ranks fifth nationally.
The Blue Devils (14-7, 6-4 ACC) are coming off their bye week with their last game coming a week ago, picking up a 31-point win at Pitt last Thursday. After playing against the Deacs, Duke's next five games come against teams currently ranked in the top 25. The Blue Devils have been one of the best shot blocking teams in the country this season, currently ranking second nationally with 6.4 blocks per game. It has helped bolster one of the best overall defenses in the nation as they also rank 21st and second in the ACC with a 36.0 opponent shooting percentage.
Tipoff for Thursday is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. (ET) at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
For those not at the arena, fans can tune in to ACC Network Extra 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).
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 15 teams in the NET top-100:
NCAA Average Opponent NET Rank
1. UConn
2. Maryland
3. Stanford
4. Wake Forest
5. NC State
Additionally if you average the current NET rankings out of all of the teams that Wake Forest has played this season, it would be a No. 79 in the rankings.
The strong schedule has seen Wake Forest rise 14 spots overall in the NET rankings since the start of conference play.
COWLES GETS IT GOING
Malaya Cowles recorded six points and one steal along with five rebounds including a team-high three offensive rebounds in the last outing against Georgia Tech.
SCRUGGS MAKING MOST OF SENIOR SEASON
Alexandria Scruggs made her 139th 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. 139
2. Kaia Harrison 2019-Pres. 135
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 six of the last 12 games, Scruggs posted double-figure points. Overall, she has recorded double-digit points seven times this season.
Through 22 games she leads the team with 5.1 rebounds per game, her highest average of her career by nearly 1.0 rebounds per game.
ASSISTS ON MADE BASKETS
The Demon Deacons recorded eight assists on 27 made baskets (29.6 percent) versus the Yellow Jackets.
Wake Forest has had 10 or more assists on 17 separate occasions this season.
This season, the Deacs have assisted 277 of 480 made field goals (57.7 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 32nd time in the last 33 games, with the lone game coming against Syracuse on Jan. 11. The 33 game stretch goes back to January of 2022. In total, the Deacs forced 13 turnovers against Georgia Tech.
In total, the Deacs forced 20 turnovers by Clemson. This included nine steals from five different players.
The 20 turnovers are the highest total forced in ACC play both this season and during the Gebbia era as well as tied for the second-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)
T2. at Clemson - 20 turnovers forced (Jan. 28, 2024)
T2. 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 1-of-1 from the free throw line Sunday against Georgia Tech. Overall this season, Harrison is 64-of-77 (83.1 pct.), ranking sixth in the ACC and 78th nationally in free throw percentage.
Junior Elise Williams is averaging a career-best 83.1 percent from the stripe (49-of-59) this season. She is now ranked ninth in program history in free throw percentage:
Through 22 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 72.8 percent (217-of-298) this season.
On Sunday, the team went 7-of-10 from the charity stripe (70.0 percent). This is the eighth time in the last nine games the Demon Deacons have shot 70 percent or better.
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. 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.
Thursday night 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.
Since the start of ACC play, Williams leads the team with 11.6 points per game while also averaging 4.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game.
LAST TIME
Wake Forest vs. Georgia Tech (Feb. 4)
Result: L, 55-58
Versus Duke
Series: Duke leads 70-20
Last Time: Jan. 5, 2023
Result: L, 55-63
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 scheduled for their first Big-4 matchup of the season Thursday afternoon when the Deacs hit the road against Duke.
The 7:00 p.m. tipoff against the Blue Devils will also air on ACC Network Extra.
The Demon Deacons (4-18, 0-10 ACC) will be looking for their highest NET win of the season and Quad-1 win as Duke currently sits at No. 23 in the latest release of the ranking. The Demon Deacons have split the last two matchups against the Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Wake Forest has navigated one of the most difficult schedules in the country, as the Deacs' average opponent NET now ranks fifth nationally.
The Blue Devils (14-7, 6-4 ACC) are coming off their bye week with their last game coming a week ago, picking up a 31-point win at Pitt last Thursday. After playing against the Deacs, Duke's next five games come against teams currently ranked in the top 25. The Blue Devils have been one of the best shot blocking teams in the country this season, currently ranking second nationally with 6.4 blocks per game. It has helped bolster one of the best overall defenses in the nation as they also rank 21st and second in the ACC with a 36.0 opponent shooting percentage.
Tipoff for Thursday is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. (ET) at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
For those not at the arena, fans can tune in to ACC Network Extra 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).
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 15 teams in the NET top-100:
NCAA Average Opponent NET Rank
1. UConn
2. Maryland
3. Stanford
4. Wake Forest
5. NC State
Additionally if you average the current NET rankings out of all of the teams that Wake Forest has played this season, it would be a No. 79 in the rankings.
The strong schedule has seen Wake Forest rise 14 spots overall in the NET rankings since the start of conference play.
COWLES GETS IT GOING
Malaya Cowles recorded six points and one steal along with five rebounds including a team-high three offensive rebounds in the last outing against Georgia Tech.
- Her single-season field goal percentage is one of the highest in program history, ranking seventh:
- 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. Ona Udoh 2018-19 .587
- 7. Malaya Cowles 2023-24 .577
- 8. Jenny Mitchell 1987-88 .572
- 9. Lisa Dodd 1986-87 .567
- 10. Alice Neal 1986-87 .563
- FIELD GOAL PCT. (minimum 50 attempts)
- Additionally, she has shot a stellar 57-of-90 (63.3 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
SCRUGGS MAKING MOST OF SENIOR SEASON
Alexandria Scruggs made her 139th 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. 139
2. Kaia Harrison 2019-Pres. 135
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 six of the last 12 games, Scruggs posted double-figure points. Overall, she has recorded double-digit points seven times this season.
Through 22 games she leads the team with 5.1 rebounds per game, her highest average of her career by nearly 1.0 rebounds per game.
ASSISTS ON MADE BASKETS
The Demon Deacons recorded eight assists on 27 made baskets (29.6 percent) versus the Yellow Jackets.
Wake Forest has had 10 or more assists on 17 separate occasions this season.
This season, the Deacs have assisted 277 of 480 made field goals (57.7 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 32nd time in the last 33 games, with the lone game coming against Syracuse on Jan. 11. The 33 game stretch goes back to January of 2022. In total, the Deacs forced 13 turnovers against Georgia Tech.
In total, the Deacs forced 20 turnovers by Clemson. This included nine steals from five different players.
The 20 turnovers are the highest total forced in ACC play both this season and during the Gebbia era as well as tied for the second-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)
T2. at Clemson - 20 turnovers forced (Jan. 28, 2024)
T2. 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 1-of-1 from the free throw line Sunday against Georgia Tech. Overall this season, Harrison is 64-of-77 (83.1 pct.), ranking sixth in the ACC and 78th nationally in free throw percentage.
Junior Elise Williams is averaging a career-best 83.1 percent from the stripe (49-of-59) this season. 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) | .760 |
| 10. | Amber Campbell (2014-18) | .755 |
Through 22 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 72.8 percent (217-of-298) this season.
On Sunday, the team went 7-of-10 from the charity stripe (70.0 percent). This is the eighth time in the last nine games the Demon Deacons have shot 70 percent or better.
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. 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 |
Thursday night 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.
Since the start of ACC play, Williams leads the team with 11.6 points per game while also averaging 4.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game.
LAST TIME
Wake Forest vs. Georgia Tech (Feb. 4)
Result: L, 55-58
- The Demon Deacons held the Yellow Jackets to just 11 points in the third quarter and closed out the frame on an 8-0 run. Early in the fourth quarter, the Deacs took the lead for the first time in the game after trailing by double digits with five minutes to go in the third.
- Defensively, Wake Forest held Georgia Tech to just one made three-pointer on 13 attempts (7.7 percent). It tied for the Yellowjackets' fewest in a game this season and fewest since Jan. 4 against Virginia. Additionally, the Deacs forced 13 turnovers. Of note, the Demon Deacons have forced double-digit turnovers in 32 of the last 33 games, dating back to January of 2022.
- Individually, the Deacs were led by Williams, whose 23 points and 11 rebounds marked the first 20/10 game by a Wake Forest player since Christina Morra Feb. 24, 2022 against Syracsue. It also marked her second 20-point performance of the season with her first coming in the 29-point outing against Virginia Tech on Jan. 4.
Versus Duke
Series: Duke leads 70-20
Last Time: Jan. 5, 2023
Result: L, 55-63
- The Demon Deacons were led by a strong defensive effort as the Deacs forced the Blue Devils into 19 turnovers, marking the most turnovers Duke has committed in a single game since facing Northwestern on Dec.1. Additionally, Duke's 19 turnovers were the most the Blue Devils had committed in ACC play at that point in the season.
- Junior guard Jewel Spear led the Demon Deacons offensively with 13 points on 4-of-7 shooting, including an explosive 10-point third quarter. The Colony, Texas native had recorded double-digit points in 13 games this season up to that point which led the team, shooting 40 percent from beyond the arc.
- Of note coming into that contest, she ranked 10th in the country with 44 three-point makes while her 2.93 threes per game ranked 18th nationally.
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. 11 vs. Virginia
- Sunday, Feb. 18 vs. North Carolina
UP NEXT
The Demon Deacons are scheduled for their first Big-4 matchup of the season Thursday afternoon when the Deacs hit the road against Duke.
The 7:00 p.m. tipoff against the Blue Devils will also air on ACC Network Extra.
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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