Deacs Look to Continue Winning Ways Thursday
1/28/2025 6:46:00 PM | Women's Basketball
In the second-straight home game at LJVM Coliseum, the Wake Forest women’s basketball team is set to host No. 17 NC State Thursday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. on ACC Network Extra.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Looking to build off a win from Sunday, the Wake Forest women's basketball team is set to host No. 17 NC State Thursday night at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Arena.
The Demon Deacons (8-12, 1-8 ACC) are looking for their second-straight win and first over a ranked opponent since the 2020-21 season against No. 24 Missouri State. In a double-digit win over Boston College on Sunday, sophomore guard Rylie Theuerkauf set a new career-high in points for the second consecutive game as she finished with 21 on 8-of-16 shooting and a 4-for-4 mark from the charity stripe.
As a team, the Demon Deacons outscored the Eagles in points in the paint (34-18), points off turnovers (25-17) and on the fast break (10-7). Additionally, Wake Forest won all four quarters of play. After taking the lead less than a minute into the game, Wake Forest held the lead for the remainder of the game, leading for 39:10 of the 40 minutes.
Wake Forest's success this season has come on the backs of strong defensive play as the Deacs currently rank in the top 150 in the country and fifth in the ACC in scoring defense as teams are averaging just 61.8 points per game this season. The Demon Deacons also rank top 70 in the nation with 9.8 steals per game.
The Wolfpack (16-4, 8-1 ACC) comes into Thursday on a five-game winning streak with its lone loss in ACC play coming on the road against nationally-ranked Cal on Jan. 9. Away from home this season, NC State holds just a record of 4-4 including a record of 3-2 in true road games this season. This would be the highest rank NET win of the season for the Demon Deacons as NC State currently ranks No. 21 in the latest NET rankings. Led by the veteran guard play of Saniya Rivers, Aziaha James and Zoe Brooks, the Wolfpack have committed the fewest amount of fouls per game in the country, committing just 12.0 fouls per game on average. Additionally, NC State ranks in the top 25 in rebounds per game and turnovers committed per game.
Tipoff for Sunday is scheduled for 6:00 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 185 points so far this season.
Williams will now look to move up the scoring list on Sunday afternoon as she is 17th and is nine points points away from moving into 16th and passing Wake Forest great Brittany Waters (2007-11) and 11 points away from 15th and passing Elisa Penna (2015-19):
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 53.8 percent overall at LJVM Coliseum (42-of-78 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 273 of 454 made baskets this season (60.1 pct.). Additionally over the last 16 games, the Demon Deacons have assisted on 233 of 374 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 eighth in program history:
FORCING TURNOVERS
Forcing the Eagles into 20 turnovers, Wake Forest forced double-digit turnovers for the 61st time in the last 62 games, with the lone game coming against Syracuse on Jan. 11, 2024. The 62-game stretch goes back to January of 2022. It marked the seventh time this season Wake Forest forced 20-or-more turnovers and fourth time against an ACC opponent. It was tied for the sixth-most turnovers by the Eagles this season.
Through 20 games this season, Wake Forest has totaled 195 steals including 10 on Sunday.
The 28 turnovers forced against Cal 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 nine of the first 20 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 60.3 percent (44-of-73 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 33-of-38 (86.8 pct.) 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 115 threes in the first 20 games (5.8 3FGM per game). Additionally, the Deacs came into the game, knocking down 31.1 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 seventh in program history:
LAST TIME
Wake Forest vs. Boston College (Jan. 26)
Result: W – 69-59
Versus NC State
Series: NC State leads 78-15
Last: March 3, 2024
Result: L, 75-57
The Demon Deacons end the weekend on the road, traveling to No. 25 Florida State for a Sunday night tipoff at Donald L. Tucker Civic Center.
Tipoff is scheduled for 6 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 (8-12, 1-8 ACC) are looking for their second-straight win and first over a ranked opponent since the 2020-21 season against No. 24 Missouri State. In a double-digit win over Boston College on Sunday, sophomore guard Rylie Theuerkauf set a new career-high in points for the second consecutive game as she finished with 21 on 8-of-16 shooting and a 4-for-4 mark from the charity stripe.
As a team, the Demon Deacons outscored the Eagles in points in the paint (34-18), points off turnovers (25-17) and on the fast break (10-7). Additionally, Wake Forest won all four quarters of play. After taking the lead less than a minute into the game, Wake Forest held the lead for the remainder of the game, leading for 39:10 of the 40 minutes.
Wake Forest's success this season has come on the backs of strong defensive play as the Deacs currently rank in the top 150 in the country and fifth in the ACC in scoring defense as teams are averaging just 61.8 points per game this season. The Demon Deacons also rank top 70 in the nation with 9.8 steals per game.
The Wolfpack (16-4, 8-1 ACC) comes into Thursday on a five-game winning streak with its lone loss in ACC play coming on the road against nationally-ranked Cal on Jan. 9. Away from home this season, NC State holds just a record of 4-4 including a record of 3-2 in true road games this season. This would be the highest rank NET win of the season for the Demon Deacons as NC State currently ranks No. 21 in the latest NET rankings. Led by the veteran guard play of Saniya Rivers, Aziaha James and Zoe Brooks, the Wolfpack have committed the fewest amount of fouls per game in the country, committing just 12.0 fouls per game on average. Additionally, NC State ranks in the top 25 in rebounds per game and turnovers committed per game.
Tipoff for Sunday is scheduled for 6:00 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 185 points so far this season.
Williams will now look to move up the scoring list on Sunday afternoon as she is 17th and is nine points points away from moving into 16th and passing Wake Forest great Brittany Waters (2007-11) and 11 points away from 15th and passing Elisa Penna (2015-19):
| 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.) | 1,258 |
| 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 53.8 percent overall at LJVM Coliseum (42-of-78 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 273 of 454 made baskets this season (60.1 pct.). Additionally over the last 16 games, the Demon Deacons have assisted on 233 of 374 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 eighth 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. | Elise Williams (2021-Pres.) | 363 |
| 9. | Chelsea Douglas (2010-14) | 360 |
| 10. | Liz Strunk (2003-06) | 340 |
FORCING TURNOVERS
Forcing the Eagles into 20 turnovers, Wake Forest forced double-digit turnovers for the 61st time in the last 62 games, with the lone game coming against Syracuse on Jan. 11, 2024. The 62-game stretch goes back to January of 2022. It marked the seventh time this season Wake Forest forced 20-or-more turnovers and fourth time against an ACC opponent. It was tied for the sixth-most turnovers by the Eagles this season.
Through 20 games this season, Wake Forest has totaled 195 steals including 10 on Sunday.
The 28 turnovers forced against Cal 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 nine of the first 20 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 60.3 percent (44-of-73 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 33-of-38 (86.8 pct.) 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 115 threes in the first 20 games (5.8 3FGM per game). Additionally, the Deacs came into the game, knocking down 31.1 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 |
| 7. | Elise Williams (2021-Pres.) | 144 |
| T8. | Tonia Brown (2001-04) | 142 |
| T8. | Ariel Stephenson (2015-19) | 142 |
| 10. | Liz Strunk (2003-06) | 141 |
Wake Forest vs. Boston College (Jan. 26)
Result: W – 69-59
- Theuerkauf set a new career-high in points for the second consecutive game as she finished with 21 on 8-of-16 shooting and a 4-for-4 mark from the charity stripe. She has 40 points over the last two games and now averages 10.3 on the season, the second-most on the team.
- As a team, the Demon Deacons outscored the Eagles in points in the paint (34-18), points off turnovers (25-17) and on the fast break (10-7).
- Additionally, Wake Forest won all four quarters of play. After taking the lead less than a minute into the game, Wake Forest held the lead for the remainder of the game, leading for 39:10 of the 40 minutes.
Versus NC State
Series: NC State leads 78-15
Last: March 3, 2024
Result: L, 75-57
- The Demon Deacons will look to end a 10-game losing streak to NC State Thursday evening while also looking for the program's first ranked win since the 2020-21 season when the Deacs defeated No. 24 Missouri State.
- Last time against NC State, the Demon Deacons shot a blistering 70.6 percent from the field in the third and knocked down five of eight three-point attempts (62.5 percent) for 31 total points.
- The 31 points in the third quarter is the second-most in a quarter in program history. The only game where the Deacs had more points in a quarter came last year when Wake Forest scored 33 points against Longwood in the third quarter on Dec. 15, 2022.
- The run in the third quarter cut it down to a two-point deficit going into the fourth quarter and Wake Forest took a brief lead when junior Raegyn Conley hit a three on the first possession.
- The third quarter was immaculate for both junior Elise Williams and freshman Madisyn Jordan. Williams finished the 10-minute period with 15 points on 6-of-6 shooting and added 2-of-2 free throws. It marked her highest scoring quarter of her career.
- Jordan, off the bench, knocked down 3-of-3 threes with the last coming with seconds left in quarter. She finished with nine points in the quarter and 12 overall for the game. Her four triples tied for a career high that happened versus Saint Louis earlier this season (Nov. 20).
The Demon Deacons end the weekend on the road, traveling to No. 25 Florida State for a Sunday night tipoff at Donald L. Tucker Civic Center.
Tipoff is scheduled for 6 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
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Forward
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Forward
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Guard
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Guard
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