Wake Forest Athletics
Sunday, February 16
Atlanta, Ga.
Noon
Wake Forest University
at
Georgia Tech
Deacs Head South to Play at No. 19 Georgia Tech
2/14/2025 9:45:00 PM | Women's Basketball
In the second-straight game against a ranked opponent, the Wake Forest women’s basketball team is set to travel to nationally-ranked Georgia Tech Sunday. Tipoff is scheduled for Noon on ACC Network.
ATLANTA, Ga. – In the second-straight game against a ranked opponent, the Wake Forest women's basketball team is set to travel to No. 19 Georgia Tech Sunday afternoon at McCamish Pavilion in Atlanta, Ga.
The Demon Deacons (8-16, 1-12 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. For the 15th time this season and seventh-consecutive game, sophomore guard Rylie Theuerkauf reached double figures with 11 points against the Blue Devils and a perfect 4-of-4 clip from the free throw line. She has 100 points over the last six games (16.6) and now averages 11.1 on the season, which leads the team.
Wake Forest's success this season has come on the backs of strong defensive play as the Deacs currently rank in the top 200 in the country and seventh in the ACC in scoring defense as teams are averaging just 64.8 points per game this season. The Demon Deacons also rank top 90 in the nation with 9.3 steals per game.
The Yellowjackets (20-5, 8-5 ACC) are looking to bounce back after a loss at Clemson, 68-61, on Thursday night. Georgia Tech has been one of the better teams in the country this season at assist-to-turnover ratio, ranking eighth nationally with a 1.45 rating while also ranking 16th nationally with 17.9 assists per game. In that category, they are led by point guard Tonie Morgan who is 14th nationally and second in the ACC with 5.8 assists per game. The Yellowjackets average 78.4 points per game which is top 25 in the country. Kara Dunn who is 11th in the ACC in scoring leads the way for the Jackets with 16.0 points per game.
Tipoff for Sunday is scheduled for Noon (ET) at the McCamish Pavilion.
For those not at the arena, fans can tune in to ACC Network 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).
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 100 points over the last six games (16.7 PPG) 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 215 points so far this season.
Williams will now look to move up the scoring list on Thursday night as she is 15th and is 19 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 52.3 percent overall at LJVM Coliseum (46-of-88 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 58.3 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 329 of 554 made baskets this season (59.4 pct.). Additionally over the last 20 games, the Demon Deacons have assisted on 289 of 474 made baskets or 61 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 Blue Devils into 19 turnovers, Wake Forest continued its stretch forcing double-digit turnovers. The Deacs have forced 10 or more takeaways 64 times in the last 66 games. The 66-game stretch goes back to January of 2022. This marked the fifth-most turnovers by the Blue Devils in a game this season and most since Jan. 9 against North Carolina. Through 24 games this season, Wake Forest has totaled 222 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 12 of the first 24 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.
The Demon Deacons went 14-of-16 (87.5 percent) from the charity stripe Thursday night, their 10th game this season shooting above 80 percent.
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 62.0 percent (49-of-79 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 37-of-45 (82.2 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 have a resurgent season at the line last season but one of the best in program history. This year has been no different with the Deacs having the seventh-best free throw percentage in program history :
SHARPSHOOTERS
The Deacs have gotten off to a quick start from behind the arc in the 2024-25 season, knocking down 134 threes in the first 24 games (5.6 3FGM per game). Additionally, the Deacs came into the game, knocking down 30.5 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. Duke (Feb. 13)
Result: L – 72-47
Versus Georgia Tech
Series: Georgia Tech leads 51-29
Last: February 25, 2024
Result: W, 71-66
The Demon Deacons return home this Thursday when they host SMU for the annual Play4Kay Pink Game at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
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 (8-16, 1-12 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. For the 15th time this season and seventh-consecutive game, sophomore guard Rylie Theuerkauf reached double figures with 11 points against the Blue Devils and a perfect 4-of-4 clip from the free throw line. She has 100 points over the last six games (16.6) and now averages 11.1 on the season, which leads the team.
Wake Forest's success this season has come on the backs of strong defensive play as the Deacs currently rank in the top 200 in the country and seventh in the ACC in scoring defense as teams are averaging just 64.8 points per game this season. The Demon Deacons also rank top 90 in the nation with 9.3 steals per game.
The Yellowjackets (20-5, 8-5 ACC) are looking to bounce back after a loss at Clemson, 68-61, on Thursday night. Georgia Tech has been one of the better teams in the country this season at assist-to-turnover ratio, ranking eighth nationally with a 1.45 rating while also ranking 16th nationally with 17.9 assists per game. In that category, they are led by point guard Tonie Morgan who is 14th nationally and second in the ACC with 5.8 assists per game. The Yellowjackets average 78.4 points per game which is top 25 in the country. Kara Dunn who is 11th in the ACC in scoring leads the way for the Jackets with 16.0 points per game.
Tipoff for Sunday is scheduled for Noon (ET) at the McCamish Pavilion.
For those not at the arena, fans can tune in to ACC Network 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).
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 100 points over the last six games (16.7 PPG) 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 215 points so far this season.
Williams will now look to move up the scoring list on Thursday night as she is 15th and is 19 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.) | 1,290 |
| 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 52.3 percent overall at LJVM Coliseum (46-of-88 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. | Jenny Mitchell (1987-88) | .572 |
| 8. | Malaya Cowles (2024-25) | .571 |
| 9. | Lisa Dodd (1986-87) | .567 |
| 10. | Alice Neal (1986-87) | .563 |
Additionally, Cowles career shooting percentage of 58.3 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 329 of 554 made baskets this season (59.4 pct.). Additionally over the last 20 games, the Demon Deacons have assisted on 289 of 474 made baskets or 61 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.) | 373 |
| 9. | Chelsea Douglas (2010-14) | 360 |
| 10. | Liz Strunk (2003-06) | 340 |
FORCING TURNOVERS
Forcing the Blue Devils into 19 turnovers, Wake Forest continued its stretch forcing double-digit turnovers. The Deacs have forced 10 or more takeaways 64 times in the last 66 games. The 66-game stretch goes back to January of 2022. This marked the fifth-most turnovers by the Blue Devils in a game this season and most since Jan. 9 against North Carolina. Through 24 games this season, Wake Forest has totaled 222 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 12 of the first 24 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.
The Demon Deacons went 14-of-16 (87.5 percent) from the charity stripe Thursday night, their 10th game this season shooting above 80 percent.
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 62.0 percent (49-of-79 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 37-of-45 (82.2 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 have a resurgent season at the line last season but one of the best in program history. This year has been no different with the Deacs having the seventh-best free throw percentage 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. | .702 (236-of-336) | 2024-25 |
| 8. | .694 (279-of-546) | 2021-22 |
| 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 134 threes in the first 24 games (5.6 3FGM per game). Additionally, the Deacs came into the game, knocking down 30.5 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.) | 146 |
| T8. | Tonia Brown (2001-04) | 142 |
| T8. | Ariel Stephenson (2015-19) | 142 |
| 10. | Liz Strunk (2003-06) | 141 |
Wake Forest vs. Duke (Feb. 13)
Result: L – 72-47
- The Deacs limited the Blue Devils to just 11 points in the first quarter and turned them over 19 times throughout the contest. It marked the fifth-most turnovers by the Blue Devils this season and most since Jan. 9.
- For the 15th time this season and seventh-consecutive game, sophomore guard Rylie Theuerkauf reached double figures with 11 points against the Blue Devils and a perfect 4-of-4 clip from the free throw line. She has 100 points over the last six games (16.6) and now averages 11.1 on the season, which leads the team.
- The Demon Deacons went 14-of-16 (87.5 percent) from the charity stripe Thursday night, their 10th game this season shooting above 80 percent.
Versus Georgia Tech
Series: Georgia Tech leads 51-29
Last: February 25, 2024
Result: W, 71-66
- The Demon Deacons were led by Williams' career-high 31-point outing as she shot a stellar 10-of-15 from the floor and 3-of-5 from beyond the arc. Williams, a native of Raleigh, added six rebounds and four assists, while going nearly perfect (8-of-9) from the charity stripe.
- As a team, Wake Forest shot an impressive 77.8 percent (7-for-9) from the field in the fourth quarter, while assisting on six of the seven made baskets. Overall, the Demon Deacons logged 18 assists on 26 made baskets (69 percent) for the contest. It was the second-highest total this season, trailing just a 24-assist performance against Saint Louis.
The Demon Deacons return home this Thursday when they host SMU for the annual Play4Kay Pink Game at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
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
Forward
/ Women's Basketball
Forward
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
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