Deacs Return Home for Big-4 Rivalry Matchup with Duke
2/11/2025 7:59:00 PM | Women's Basketball
In the first home game in two weeks, the Wake Forest women’s basketball team is set to host nationally-ranked Duke Thursday. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. on ACC Network Extra.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – After two weeks away from home, the Wake Forest women's basketball team is set to host No. 13 Duke Thursday night at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
The Demon Deacons (8-15, 1-11 ACC) are looking for their second win of the conference campaign and also looking for their first win over a ranked team since defeating No. 24 Missouri State on Nov. 29, 2020. Redshirt senior forward Demeara Hinds is coming off two of her better games of the season with a career-high 18 points and 13 rebounds against nationally-ranked Florida State while also having a team-high 14 points against Syracuse on Sunday.
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 seventh in the ACC in scoring defense as teams are averaging just 64.5 points per game this season. The Demon Deacons also rank top 90 in the nation with 9.3 steals per game.
The Blue Devils (19-5, 10-2 ACC) are looking to build off back-to-back wins against Miami and Clemson that came by an average of 30 points. So far this season, four of the five losses for Duke have come against ranked opponents. On the road so far this season, the Blue Devils hold a mark of just 6-5. They have been one of the more balanced teams in the ACC so far this season as they rank second in the nation in bench points with 33.0 per game including a team-high 13.4 points per game from freshman Toby Fournier. Duke also leads the conference in turnovers forced per game, turning over the opposition 21.04 times per game on average.
Tipoff for Thursday is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. (ET) at the 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).
RYLIE RAISES HER GAME
For three consecutive games between North Carolina and NC State, Rylie Theuerkauf set a new career-highs in scoring including finishing with 25 points against No. 17 NC State Wolfpack.
25 points is the most in a game by a Demon Deacon since Williams had 31 at Georgia Tech last season on Feb. 25, 2024. It marked her 12th game of the season with double-digit, fifth with at least 15 and second-consecutive with at least 20.
She tied her previous career high (21) with seven minutes remaining in the first half. She opened the game 8-of-8 from the floor and 3-of-3 from deep.
Theuerkauf has 89 points over the last five games and now averages 11.1 on the season, the most on the team.
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 206 points so far this season.
Williams will now look to move up the scoring list on Thursday night as she is 15th and is 28 points away from Lakevia Boykin (2009-13) in 14th place:
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 53.0 percent overall at LJVM Coliseum (44-of-83 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).
In addition to shooting a great percentage at home this season, Cowles shooting percentage is at a historic rate for the season as a whole, ranking in the top 10 in program history as she is making 57.5 percent of her shots over the course of the season:
Additionally, Cowles career shooting percentage of 55.6 percent is on pace to have her rank third in program history by the end of her career
ASSISTS ON MADE BASKETS
The Deacs have done an excellent job of moving the ball so far this season, as they have assisted on 323 of 539 made baskets this season (59.9 pct.). Additionally over the last 19 games, the Demon Deacons have assisted on 283 of 459 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 Orange into 13 turnovers, Wake Forest continued its stretch forcing double-digit turnovers. The Deacs have forced 10 or more takeaways 63 times in the last 65 games. The 65-game stretch goes back to January of 2022. Through 23 games this season, Wake Forest has totaled 214 steals including eight on Thursday.
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 11 of the first 23 games of the 2024-25 season, including a season-high against No. 17 NC State at 100.0 percent (11-of-11) in the last home game.
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 61.3 percent (46-of-75 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 34-of-41 (82.9 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 131 threes in the first 23 games (5.7 3FGM per game). Additionally, the Deacs came into the game, knocking down 30.6 percent of their threes.
Overall, the 2023-24 Wake Forest team knocked down 204 threes last season ranked 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. Syracuse (Feb. 9)
Result: L – 62-50
Versus Duke
Series: Duke leads 70-20
Last: February 8, 2024
Result: L, 69-46
The Demon Deacons return to the road this Sunday when they travel to nationally-ranked Georgia Tech for an afternoon game at McCamish Pavilion..
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 (8-15, 1-11 ACC) are looking for their second win of the conference campaign and also looking for their first win over a ranked team since defeating No. 24 Missouri State on Nov. 29, 2020. Redshirt senior forward Demeara Hinds is coming off two of her better games of the season with a career-high 18 points and 13 rebounds against nationally-ranked Florida State while also having a team-high 14 points against Syracuse on Sunday.
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 seventh in the ACC in scoring defense as teams are averaging just 64.5 points per game this season. The Demon Deacons also rank top 90 in the nation with 9.3 steals per game.
The Blue Devils (19-5, 10-2 ACC) are looking to build off back-to-back wins against Miami and Clemson that came by an average of 30 points. So far this season, four of the five losses for Duke have come against ranked opponents. On the road so far this season, the Blue Devils hold a mark of just 6-5. They have been one of the more balanced teams in the ACC so far this season as they rank second in the nation in bench points with 33.0 per game including a team-high 13.4 points per game from freshman Toby Fournier. Duke also leads the conference in turnovers forced per game, turning over the opposition 21.04 times per game on average.
Tipoff for Thursday is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. (ET) at the 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).
RYLIE RAISES HER GAME
For three consecutive games between North Carolina and NC State, Rylie Theuerkauf set a new career-highs in scoring including finishing with 25 points against No. 17 NC State Wolfpack.
25 points is the most in a game by a Demon Deacon since Williams had 31 at Georgia Tech last season on Feb. 25, 2024. It marked her 12th game of the season with double-digit, fifth with at least 15 and second-consecutive with at least 20.
She tied her previous career high (21) with seven minutes remaining in the first half. She opened the game 8-of-8 from the floor and 3-of-3 from deep.
Theuerkauf has 89 points over the last five games and now averages 11.1 on the season, the most on the team.
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 206 points so far this season.
Williams will now look to move up the scoring list on Thursday night as she is 15th and is 28 points away from Lakevia Boykin (2009-13) in 14th place:
| Rank | Player | Career Points |
| 7. | Cotelia Bond-Young (2002-06) | 1,507 |
| 8. | Amber Campbell (2014-18) | 1,489 |
| 9. | Ivana Raca (2017-21) | 1,482 |
| 10. | Jewel Spear (2020-23) | 1,385 |
| 11. | Liz Strunk (2002-06) | 1,352 |
| 12. | Lisa Stockton (1982-86) | 1,347 |
| 13. | Jane Jackson (1977-80) | 1,342 |
| 14. | Lakevia Boykin (2009-13) | 1,309 |
| 15. | Elise Williams (2021-Pres.) | 1,281 |
| 16. | Elisa Penna (2015-19) | 1,269 |
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 53.0 percent overall at LJVM Coliseum (44-of-83 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).
In addition to shooting a great percentage at home this season, Cowles shooting percentage is at a historic rate for the season as a whole, ranking in the top 10 in program history as she is making 57.5 percent of her shots over the course of the season:
| Rank | Player | Season FG Pct. |
| 1. | Lisa Dodd (1987-88) | .647 |
| 2. | Ona Udoh (2020-21) | .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 (2024-25) | .575 |
| 8. | Jenny Mitchell (1987-88) | .572 |
| 9. | Lisa Dodd (1986-87) | .567 |
| 10. | Alice Neal (1986-87) | .563 |
Additionally, Cowles career shooting percentage of 55.6 percent is on pace to have her rank third in program history by the end of her career
ASSISTS ON MADE BASKETS
The Deacs have done an excellent job of moving the ball so far this season, as they have assisted on 323 of 539 made baskets this season (59.9 pct.). Additionally over the last 19 games, the Demon Deacons have assisted on 283 of 459 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 Assists |
| 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.) | 372 |
| 9. | Chelsea Douglas (2010-14) | 360 |
| 10. | Liz Strunk (2003-06) | 340 |
FORCING TURNOVERS
Forcing the Orange into 13 turnovers, Wake Forest continued its stretch forcing double-digit turnovers. The Deacs have forced 10 or more takeaways 63 times in the last 65 games. The 65-game stretch goes back to January of 2022. Through 23 games this season, Wake Forest has totaled 214 steals including eight on Thursday.
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 11 of the first 23 games of the 2024-25 season, including a season-high against No. 17 NC State at 100.0 percent (11-of-11) in the last home game.
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 61.3 percent (46-of-75 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 34-of-41 (82.9 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) | .779 |
| 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 |
| T7. | .694 (279-of-546) | 2021-22 |
| T7. | .694 (222-of-320) | 2024-25 |
| 9. | .693 (392-of-566) | 1985-86 |
| 10. | .691 (449-of-650) | 1990-91 |
SHARPSHOOTERS
The Deacs have gotten off to a quick start from behind the arc in the 2024-25 season, knocking down 131 threes in the first 23 games (5.7 3FGM per game). Additionally, the Deacs came into the game, knocking down 30.6 percent of their threes.
Overall, the 2023-24 Wake Forest team knocked down 204 threes last season ranked 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. Syracuse (Feb. 9)
Result: L – 62-50
- Redshirt senior forward Demeara Hinds reached double figures for the fourth-consecutive game as she finished with 14 on 7-of-14 from the floor in addition to hauling in six rebounds.
- She has scored 32 points and grabbed 19 rebounds over the last two outings.
- For the sixth-consecutive game, sophomore guard Rylie Theuerkauf reached double figures with 13 points against the Orange.
- She has 89 points over the last five games and now averages 11.1 on the season, which leads the team.
- It marked her 14th game of the season with double-digit points.
Versus Duke
Series: Duke leads 70-20
Last: February 8, 2024
Result: L, 69-46
- The Demon Deacons allowed just six points in the first quarter, its fewest allowed in the first quarter this season and tied for the fewest in a single quarter since the third quarter against Clemson on Jan. 28). The Deacs added 19 first-quarter points, tied for the most against an ACC opponent in the first frame this campaign.
- In the first half, Duke was held to just 20 points, the fewest points allowed in a first half by the Deacs this season. It also marked Duke's second-fewest total in the first half this season and fewest since the game against Louisville on Jan. 4 (19).
- Graduate guard Kaia Harrison led the team with her 11th double-digit scoring performance of the season as she finished with 11 points on 3-of-6 shooting in addition to a perfect 4-of-4 mark from the line. The graduate guard entered the game ranked seventh in the conference in free throw percentage (84 percent).
The Demon Deacons return to the road this Sunday when they travel to nationally-ranked Georgia Tech for an afternoon game at McCamish Pavilion..
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
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
Forward
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
/ Women's BasketballWake Forest Football | Georgia Tech Trailer
Friday, September 26
Football Media Availability (9/24/25)
Wednesday, September 24
Football Media Availability (9/23/25)
Tuesday, September 23
Wake Forest Football Head Coach Jake Dickert Press Conference (Week 5)
Tuesday, September 23