Deacs Set for Three Games at Puerto Rico Shootout

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO – After a perfect 6-0 homestand to start the season, the Wake Forest women's basketball team will look to bring its winning ways to the Puerto Rico Shootout, facing Morgan State, UCF and Illinois State in San Juan, Puerto Rico this week at the Coliseo Guillermo Angulo.

The Demon Deacons (6-0) have remained perfect in the first six games propelled by 17.3 assists per game, multiple dominant performances in the paint including having over 40 in the last four of the last five games. The Deacs have had the emergence of sophomore forward Grace Oliver in the last three games as she has averaged 17.6 points while also ranking 16th nationally so far this season with a 63.8 field goal percentage. Going into the tournament, the Deacs ranked 23rd nationally and third in the ACC, holding opponents to just 32.6 shooting from the field while also ranking 53rd in scoring defense with just 54.7 points allowed per game.

Morgan State (1-5) lone win so far this season came against NAIA Washington Adventist, winning 88-49 on Nov. 12. This will be the second ACC team that the Bears face this season after a season-opening loss at Virginia, 86-36. Individually, they are led in scoring by guards Gabrielle Johnson (11.8 points per game) and Ja'la Bannerman (10.8 points per game).

UCF (4-1) comes into the tournament on a three-game winning streak with its lone loss this season coming to Charlotte, 66-64. Like the Deacs, this is also the first time the Golden Knights will play away from home this season. They are helped by one of the best defenses in the country so far this year, ranking 16th nationally with a 32.0 opponent field goal percentage and 22nd nationally with a 22.4 opponent three-point field goal percentage. On offense, they are led by guard Leah Harmon who is averaging 15.4 points per game and ranks 24th nationally with a 50.0 three-point field goal percentage.

Illinois State (4-1) also comes into the tournament on a three-game winning streak with its lone loss coming at Illinois, 75-65. The Redbirds have balanced scoring throughout their team as five players average double figures while the team also has done an excellent job sharing the ball. Guard Trista Fayta, who ranks 16th nationally with 6.2 assists per game, leads an offense that averages 20.0 assists per game which is 16th in the country. Illinois State also has one of the best players on the glass so far this season as Doneelah Washington ranks 30th nationally with 10.2 rebounds per game while also averaging a double-double with 12.0 points per game.

Tipoff for Wednesday against Morgan State is scheduled for 3 p.m. (ET). The Deacs will take on UCF at 12:30 p.m. (ET) on Thursday. The finale against Illinois State comes on Friday at 10 a.m. (ET).

For those not at the arena, fans can tune in to FloSports ($) for all games. A live stats feed can be found here for Wednesday, here for Thursday and here for Friday. 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).

Assists On Made Baskets
Wake Forest tallied 19 total assists on the night on 25 made baskets (76 percent). In five games this season, the Demon Deacons have totaled 88 assists on 130 field goals (67.7 percent) which would mark the highest percentage in the Megan Gebbia era.

The Deacs did an excellent job of moving the ball last season, as they assisted on 394 of 667 made baskets this season (59.1 pct.). This was the highest assist percentage in the Gebbia era and the assist percentage ranks in the top 70 percent in the nation according to HerHoopStats.

In 2023-24, the Deacs assisted 404 of 694 made field goals (58.2 percent).

Forcing Them Over
The Deacs forced the Catamounts into 14 turnovers on Sunday, and have forced 10 or more takeaways 73 times in the last 77 games. The 77-game stretch goes back to January of 2022.

Through six games, the Demon Deacons have forced 14.7 turnovers per game.

Owning the Paint
The Demon Deacons had another excellent game in the paint, with 32 points posted inside while allowing the Cats to score just 12 points in the paint, a 20-point differential.

Across five games, the Deacs have totaled 246 points in the paint (41.0 per game).

Sharpshooting Deacs
Wake Forest matched its Opening Night total of seven threes with four different Deacs contributing to the total.

The Deacs finished the 2024-25 season knocking down 159 threes (5.5 3FGM per game). This included seven games with eight or more threes made.

Through the first three seasons under head coach Megan Gebbia, the Demon Deacons have hit 590 threes in 95 games under her direction (6.2 3FGM per game).

This includes her first two seasons, which both rank in the top five 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

LAST TIME
Wake Forest vs. Western Carolina (November 23)
Result: W – 60-49

The Demon Deacons were led by dual double-digit scoring performances from sophomore forward Grace Oliver and junior guard/forward Mary Carter, knocking back 13 points apiece. Additionally, Carter recorded seven total rebounds, just one shy of tying her season high.
Wake Forest forced the Catamounts into 14 turnovers during Sunday's contest, forcing 10 or more takeaways in 73 of the last 77 games.
Five separate Deacs recorded four or more rebounds against the Catamounts, with sophomore forward Kennedy Moore and freshman guard Caitlyn Jones each grabbing a career-high. Jones also earned a season-high with four assists, of which led the Deacs.
Defensively, the Demon Deacons held Western Carolina without a free throw and also to zero points off turnovers and zero fast break points.

SERIES HISTORY
Versus Morgan State

Series: Wake Forest leads 5-0
Last: March 16, 2023
Result: W, 75-49

From behind the line, the Deacs hit 8-for-22 (36.4 percent) from beyond-the-arc in the dominant 26-point victory. Over 30 percent of the scoring from the Deacs came in the fourth quarter, as they went 9-for-14 (64.3 percent) from the floor for 25 points.
Wake Forest dominated inside for the entirety of the contest, as it outrebounded Morgan State, 34-21, and tacked on 18 second chance points. Additionally, the Deacs outscored the Bears, 38-14, in the paint. Additionally, the Deacs were plus-13 on the glass and claimed 16 offensive rebounds, resulting in 18 second-chance points.

Versus UCF

Series: Tied 2-2
Last: December 19, 2008
Result: W, 82-75 (OT)

This marks the fifth time that the two schools will meet and the third time on a neutral floor.

Versus Illinois State

Series: N/A
Last: First Meeting
Result: First Meeting

This marks the first matchup between the two schools all-time.

UP NEXT
The Demon Deacons return home to resume the non-conference slate when the Deacs play host to William & Mary for the annual Kids Day Game.
Tipoff is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on ACC Network Extra.

Women's Basketball Tickets
Single-Game Tickets
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.

Season Tickets On Sale
Women's basketball season tickets are $60 for adults and $49 for Youth (Ages 2 - 18) as well as $49 for Seniors (Ages 65+).

Along with your purchase of a women's basketball season ticket package this season there are many added benefits exclusive only to those who buy season tickets. Admission to all home games for this price include additional perks:

Access to courtside seating
Access to The Shah Basketball Club for free light refreshments and snacks before and during select home games
A lunch or dinner opportunity with the Wake Forest women's basketball team
"Season Ticket Holder of the Game"
- A season ticket holder will be recognized at each game
- STH of the game will be brought onto the floor during a quarter break or timeout to be recognized
- STH of the game will be presented with a signed picture of the team
- STH of the game will also be recognized on the videoboard

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Mary Carter

Caitlyn Jones

Kennedy Moore

Grace Oliver

Wake Forest Athletics