Sunday, January 19
Winston-Salem, N.C.
2 p.m.
Wake Forest University
vs
Cal
Deacs Close Weekend Hosting No. 18 Cal
1/18/2025 1:49:00 PM | Women's Basketball
For the fourth time in program history, the Demon Deacons will square off against Cal as the Deacs play host to the Bears in their first season in the ACC. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. on ACC Network Extra.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – In the final home game of the week, the Wake Forest women's basketball team is set to host No. 18 Cal in just the fourth ever matchup between the two programs Sunday afternoon at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
The Demon Deacons (7-10, 0-6 ACC) are looking for their first win of the New Year. In a near 16-point fourth quarter comeback Thursday, senior guard Elise Williams led the Demon Deacons in points (19), assists (4), rebounds (5) and steals (6). Her 19 points and six steals both set a season-high.
Wake Forest's early success this season has come on the backs of strong defensive play as the Deacs currently rank in the top 100 in the country and third in the ACC in scoring defense as teams are averaging just 60.8 points per game this season. Additionally, the Deacs field goal defense ranks 142nd nationally entering Sunday. The Demon Deacons also rank top 90 in the nation with 9.6 steals per game.
The Bears (16-3, 4-2 ACC) are coming off their lowest scoring game of the season to this point, posting just 38 points in a 72-38 loss at No. 14 Duke. All three of their losses have come away from home this season. Cal goes into the game ranked 12th nationally and is the ACC leader in threes made per game, making 9.6 per game. Additionally, the Bears are 19th nationally and third in the league with a 36.8 three-point percentage. They are led by Ioanna Krimili and Lulu Twidale who both are fifth in the country with 57 threes made this season.
Tipoff for Sunday is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. (ET) at LJVM Coliseum.
For those not at the arena, fans can tune in to ACC Network Extra 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).
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 160 points so far this season.
Williams will now look to move up the scoring list on Sunday afternoon as she is 17th and is 42 points points away from moving into 16th and pacing Wake Forest great Brittany Waters (2007-11):
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 56.3 percent overall at LJVM Coliseum (40-of-71 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 234 of 390 made baskets this season (60.0 pct.). Additionally over the last 14 games, the Demon Deacons have assisted on 194 of 310 made baskets or 63 percent.
Wake Forest assisted on 21 of its 27 made baskets (78 percent) against Louisville. This marked the most assists for Wake Forest since they recorded 24 against Saint Louis on Nov. 20, 2023.
Additionally, the 21 assists marked the most this season by the Deacs and most against an ACC opponent since Jan. 19, 2017 in an 80-77 victory over North Carolina. It was the third time this season Wake Forest logged at least 20 assists, with the first two coming against Winthrop and Gardner-Webb (both 20).
Last season, the Deacs assisted 404 of 694 made field goals (58.2 percent).
Senior guard Elise Williams entered the top 10 in career assists earlier this season and currently is in ninth in program history:
FORCING TURNOVERS
Forcing the Cardinal into 17 turnovers, Wake Forest forced double-digit turnovers for the 58th time in the last 59 games, with the lone game coming against Syracuse on Jan. 11, 2024. The 59-game stretch goes back to January of 2022.
The Deacs forced 21 turnovers against Louisville. This marked the fifth time this season that Wake Forest forced 20-or-more turnovers and the second-consecutive game doing so. The 56-game stretch goes back to January of 2022. 21 turnovers ties the most in a game this season for Louisville, with the other instance coming against UT Martin on Nov. 12. Wake Forest added 26 points off turnovers against the Cardinals.
Against Virginia, Wake Forest forced 20 turnovers, marking the fourth time this season the Deacs have had 20 or more turnovers forced. 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 five games with 20-plus turnovers forced is now more the total number of games last season when the Deacs finished with four such games.
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 eight of the first 17 games of the 2024-25 season, including a season-high against Stanford at 93.8 percent (15-of-16) Thursday night.
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 25 percent better at the line, knocking down 59.3 percent (35-of-59 FT).
Elise Williams averaged a career-best 82.8 percent from the stripe (96-of-116) in 2023-24. Additionally, she is now ranks seventh in program history in career free throw percentage with the help of going 25-of-28 from the line this season:
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 101 threes in the first 16 games (6.3 3FGM per game). Additionally, the Deacs came into the game, knocking down 31.4 percent of their threes.
Overall, the 2023-24 Wake Forest team knocked down 204 threes this season which ranks fourth in program history:
Against Stanford, senior guard Elise Williams entered the top 10 in program history in threes made and goes into Sunday needing one three to move into ninth:
LAST TIME
Wake Forest vs. Stanford (Jan. 16)
Result: L – 71-74
Versus Cal
Series: Wake Forest leads 2-1
Last: Nov. 29, 2013
Result: L, 61-84
The Demon Deacons have their first Big-4 battle scheduled for Thursday night when the Deacs travel to Chapel Hill, N.C. for a matchup with North Carolina.
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 (7-10, 0-6 ACC) are looking for their first win of the New Year. In a near 16-point fourth quarter comeback Thursday, senior guard Elise Williams led the Demon Deacons in points (19), assists (4), rebounds (5) and steals (6). Her 19 points and six steals both set a season-high.
Wake Forest's early success this season has come on the backs of strong defensive play as the Deacs currently rank in the top 100 in the country and third in the ACC in scoring defense as teams are averaging just 60.8 points per game this season. Additionally, the Deacs field goal defense ranks 142nd nationally entering Sunday. The Demon Deacons also rank top 90 in the nation with 9.6 steals per game.
The Bears (16-3, 4-2 ACC) are coming off their lowest scoring game of the season to this point, posting just 38 points in a 72-38 loss at No. 14 Duke. All three of their losses have come away from home this season. Cal goes into the game ranked 12th nationally and is the ACC leader in threes made per game, making 9.6 per game. Additionally, the Bears are 19th nationally and third in the league with a 36.8 three-point percentage. They are led by Ioanna Krimili and Lulu Twidale who both are fifth in the country with 57 threes made this season.
Tipoff for Sunday is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. (ET) at LJVM Coliseum.
For those not at the arena, fans can tune in to ACC Network Extra 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).
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 160 points so far this season.
Williams will now look to move up the scoring list on Sunday afternoon as she is 17th and is 42 points points away from moving into 16th and pacing Wake Forest great Brittany Waters (2007-11):
| Rank | Player | Career Points |
| 14. | Lakevia Boykin (2009-13) | 1,309 |
| 15. | Elisa Penna (2015-19) | 1,269 |
| 16. | Brittany Waters (2007-11) | 1,267 |
| 17. | Elise Williams (2021-Pres.) | 1,225 |
| 18. | Alice Neal (1985-89) | 1,214 |
| 19. | Alex Tchangoue (2005-09) | 1,212 |
| 20. | Barbara Durham (1979-83) | 1,203 |
| 21. | Sandra Garcia (2009-13) | 1,201 |
| 22. | Corinne Groves (2005-09) | 1,194 |
| 23. | Beth Davis (1988-91) | 1,172 |
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 56.3 percent overall at LJVM Coliseum (40-of-71 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 234 of 390 made baskets this season (60.0 pct.). Additionally over the last 14 games, the Demon Deacons have assisted on 194 of 310 made baskets or 63 percent.
Wake Forest assisted on 21 of its 27 made baskets (78 percent) against Louisville. This marked the most assists for Wake Forest since they recorded 24 against Saint Louis on Nov. 20, 2023.
Additionally, the 21 assists marked the most this season by the Deacs and most against an ACC opponent since Jan. 19, 2017 in an 80-77 victory over North Carolina. It was the third time this season Wake Forest logged at least 20 assists, with the first two coming against Winthrop and Gardner-Webb (both 20).
Last season, the Deacs assisted 404 of 694 made field goals (58.2 percent).
Senior guard Elise Williams entered the top 10 in career assists earlier this season and currently is in ninth in program history:
| Rank | Player | Career Threes |
| 1. | Brooke Thomas (2008-12) | 513 |
| 2. | Gina Conti (2017-21) | 494 |
| 3. | Nicole Levesque (1991-94) | 488 |
| 4. | Cotelia Bond-Young (2003-06) | 462 |
| 5. | Gretchen Hollifield (1993-96) | 453 |
| 6. | Amy Privette (1984-87) | 424 |
| 7. | Cathy Wille (1987-90) | 396 |
| 8. | Chelsea Douglas (2010-14) | 360 |
| 9. | Elise Williams (2021-Pres.) | 350 |
| 10. | Liz Strunk (2003-06) | 340 |
FORCING TURNOVERS
Forcing the Cardinal into 17 turnovers, Wake Forest forced double-digit turnovers for the 58th time in the last 59 games, with the lone game coming against Syracuse on Jan. 11, 2024. The 59-game stretch goes back to January of 2022.
The Deacs forced 21 turnovers against Louisville. This marked the fifth time this season that Wake Forest forced 20-or-more turnovers and the second-consecutive game doing so. The 56-game stretch goes back to January of 2022. 21 turnovers ties the most in a game this season for Louisville, with the other instance coming against UT Martin on Nov. 12. Wake Forest added 26 points off turnovers against the Cardinals.
Against Virginia, Wake Forest forced 20 turnovers, marking the fourth time this season the Deacs have had 20 or more turnovers forced. 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 five games with 20-plus turnovers forced is now more the total number of games last season when the Deacs finished with four such games.
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 eight of the first 17 games of the 2024-25 season, including a season-high against Stanford at 93.8 percent (15-of-16) Thursday night.
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 25 percent better at the line, knocking down 59.3 percent (35-of-59 FT).
Elise Williams averaged a career-best 82.8 percent from the stripe (96-of-116) in 2023-24. Additionally, she is now ranks seventh in program history in career free throw percentage with the help of going 25-of-28 from the line this season:
| 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. | Elise Williams (2021-Present) | .783 |
| 8. | Porsche' Jones (2004-06) | .778 |
| 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 101 threes in the first 16 games (6.3 3FGM per game). Additionally, the Deacs came into the game, knocking down 31.4 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 |
| Rank | Player | Career Threes |
| 1. | Cotelia Bond Young (2003-06) | 267 |
| 2. | Chelsea Douglas (2010-14) | 257 |
| 3. | Jewel Spear (2020-23) | 241 |
| 4. | Nicole Levesque (1991-94) | 193 |
| 5. | Heidi Coleman (1995-99) | 191 |
| 6. | Lakevia Boykin (2009-13) | 167 |
| T7. | Tonia Brown (2001-04) | 142 |
| T7. | Ariel Stephenson (2015-19) | 142 |
| 9. | Liz Strunk (2003-06) | 141 |
| 10. | Elise Williams (2021-Pres.) | 140 |
Wake Forest vs. Stanford (Jan. 16)
Result: L – 71-74
- Individually, senior guard Elise Williams led the Demon Deacons in points (19), assists (4), rebounds (5) and steals (6). Her 19 points and six steals both set a season-high.
- Since returning from injury, Williams is averaging 16.0 points per game and has now scored at least 10 points in all four games since her return. Additionally, it marked the first time this season a Demon Deacon has recorded four or more assists without a giveaway and the second time in her career she did so.
- Senior guard Raegyn Conley set career-highs in points (18) and three-pointers (6-of-10) off of the bench. It marked the first time in the HerHoopsStats era that a Demon Deacon has made at least six three pointers on 60 percent or better shooting from deep.
- With high-scoring performances from Williams and Conley, it marked the first time since Nov. 6, 2023 against Wofford that the Deacs had two or more players with at least 18 points.
Versus Cal
Series: Wake Forest leads 2-1
Last: Nov. 29, 2013
Result: L, 61-84
- This marks the second ever matchup between the two schools at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Wake Forest holds a 6-3 record all-time against teams for the state of California. This is just the third known home game against a California team with the only other coming against Cal on Dec. 28, 1999 and Stanford on Thursday night.
The Demon Deacons have their first Big-4 battle scheduled for Thursday night when the Deacs travel to Chapel Hill, N.C. for a matchup with North Carolina.
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
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
Forward
/ Women's Basketball
Forward
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
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