Thursday, January 23
Chapel Hill, NC
7 p.m.
Wake Forest University
at
North Carolina
Deacs Set for First Big-4 Battle at No. 13 North Carolina
1/21/2025 11:13:00 PM | Women's Basketball
In the first Big-4 matchup of the season, the Wake Forest women’s basketball team is set to travel to No. 13 North Carolina Thursday afternoon at Carmichael Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. on ACC Network Extra.
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – In the first Big-4 matchup of the season, the Wake Forest women's basketball team is set to travel to No. 13 North Carolina Thursday afternoon at Carmichael Arena.
The Demon Deacons (7-11, 0-7 ACC) are looking for their first win of the New Year. In a closely contested battle against No. 18 Cal Sunday afternoon, the Demon Deacons forced 28 turnovers which were the most since at least the 2017-18 season, as Wake Forest converted those turnovers into 27 points while allowing the Golden Bears just five points off turnovers.
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 61.1 points per game this season. Additionally, the Deacs field goal defense ranks 165th nationally entering Thursday. The Demon Deacons also rank top 70 in the nation with 9.8 steals per game.
The Tar Heels (16-3, 4-2 ACC) come into the game winning four in a row including their last two games at home. North Carolina is 10-2 overall at home with their only losses coming to nationally-ranked Georgia Tech and Notre Dame. The Tar Heels have been one of the better teams in the country this season on the defensive end of the floor, ranking eighth nationally with just 53.5 points per game allowed. Additionally, their 33.9 field goal percentage defense ranks sixth nationally. North Carolina is led by graduate guard/forward Alyssa Utsby who is 13th nationally with 190 total rebounds so far this season.
Tipoff for Thursday is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. (ET) at LJVM Coliseum.
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).
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 176 points so far this season.
Williams will now look to move up the scoring list on Sunday afternoon as she is 17th and is 26 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 51.4 percent overall at LJVM Coliseum (36-of-70 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 246 of 411 made baskets this season (59.9 pct.). Additionally over the last 14 games, the Demon Deacons have assisted on 206 of 331 made baskets or 62 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 Golden Bears into 28 turnovers, Wake Forest forced double-digit turnovers for the 59th time in the last 60 games, with the lone game coming against Syracuse on Jan. 11, 2024. The 60-game stretch goes back to January of 2022.
Through 18 games this season, Wake Forest has totaled 176 steals including 13 on Sunday which was the 11th time this season Wake Forest has recorded 10 or more steals in a game.
The 28 turnovers forced was the most forced in a single-game this season for the Deacs. Additionally, it was the second-highest turnover game of the season for the nationally-ranked Bears. The only game where they had more turnovers came on Thursday at No. 14 Duke when Cal turned it over 31 times.
This marked the sixth time this season that Wake Forest forced 20-or-more turnovers.
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 18 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 58.7 percent (37-of-63 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 26-of-30 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 106 threes in the first 18 games (5.9 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 Thursday tied for seventh in program history:
LAST TIME
Wake Forest vs. Cal (Jan. 19)
Result: L – 55-67
Versus North Carolina
Series: North Carolina leads 69-18
Last: Feb. 18, 2024
Result: L, 50-58
The Demon Deacons are back at home inside of Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum Sunday afternoon as the Deacs play host to Boston College.
Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. on ACC Network.
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 (7-11, 0-7 ACC) are looking for their first win of the New Year. In a closely contested battle against No. 18 Cal Sunday afternoon, the Demon Deacons forced 28 turnovers which were the most since at least the 2017-18 season, as Wake Forest converted those turnovers into 27 points while allowing the Golden Bears just five points off turnovers.
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 61.1 points per game this season. Additionally, the Deacs field goal defense ranks 165th nationally entering Thursday. The Demon Deacons also rank top 70 in the nation with 9.8 steals per game.
The Tar Heels (16-3, 4-2 ACC) come into the game winning four in a row including their last two games at home. North Carolina is 10-2 overall at home with their only losses coming to nationally-ranked Georgia Tech and Notre Dame. The Tar Heels have been one of the better teams in the country this season on the defensive end of the floor, ranking eighth nationally with just 53.5 points per game allowed. Additionally, their 33.9 field goal percentage defense ranks sixth nationally. North Carolina is led by graduate guard/forward Alyssa Utsby who is 13th nationally with 190 total rebounds so far this season.
Tipoff for Thursday is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. (ET) at LJVM Coliseum.
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).
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 176 points so far this season.
Williams will now look to move up the scoring list on Sunday afternoon as she is 17th and is 26 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.) | 1,241 |
| 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 51.4 percent overall at LJVM Coliseum (36-of-70 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 246 of 411 made baskets this season (59.9 pct.). Additionally over the last 14 games, the Demon Deacons have assisted on 206 of 331 made baskets or 62 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.) | 353 |
| 10. | Liz Strunk (2003-06) | 340 |
FORCING TURNOVERS
Forcing the Golden Bears into 28 turnovers, Wake Forest forced double-digit turnovers for the 59th time in the last 60 games, with the lone game coming against Syracuse on Jan. 11, 2024. The 60-game stretch goes back to January of 2022.
Through 18 games this season, Wake Forest has totaled 176 steals including 13 on Sunday which was the 11th time this season Wake Forest has recorded 10 or more steals in a game.
The 28 turnovers forced was the most forced in a single-game this season for the Deacs. Additionally, it was the second-highest turnover game of the season for the nationally-ranked Bears. The only game where they had more turnovers came on Thursday at No. 14 Duke when Cal turned it over 31 times.
This marked the sixth time this season that Wake Forest forced 20-or-more turnovers.
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 18 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 58.7 percent (37-of-63 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 26-of-30 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) | .781 |
| 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 106 threes in the first 18 games (5.9 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. | Elise Williams (2021-Pres.) | 142 |
| T7. | Tonia Brown (2001-04) | 142 |
| T7. | Ariel Stephenson (2015-19) | 142 |
| 10. | Liz Strunk (2003-06) | 141 |
Wake Forest vs. Cal (Jan. 19)
Result: L – 55-67
- Despite forcing the most turnovers in the Megan Gebbia era with a season-high 28 takeaways, the Wake Forest women's basketball team fell to No. 18 Cal, 67-55, Sunday afternoon inside Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
- The 28 turnovers were the most since at least the 2017-18 season, as Wake Forest converted those turnovers into 27 points while allowing the Golden Bears just five points off turnovers.
- The Demon Deacons were led by senior guard Elise Williams, who finished the contest with 15 points and added a trio of rebounds, assists and steals. Senior Demeara Hinds and sophomore Rylie Theuerkauf joined Williams in double figures with 10 points apiece.
Versus North Carolina
Series: North Carolina leads 69-18
Last: Feb. 18, 2024
Result: L, 50-58
- North Carolina holds a 69-18 record all-time over Wake Forest and have won the last three matchups in the series. Over the last 12 games in the series dating back to 2016, the series is even 6-6.
- In the last matchup between the two schools, the Demon Deacons defense held North Carolina to an ACC-low 58 points as Wake Forest nearly came out on top, falling 58-50. 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.
The Demon Deacons are back at home inside of Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum Sunday afternoon as the Deacs play host to Boston College.
Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. on ACC Network.
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
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
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