Wake Forest Athletics
Thursday, March 19
Winston-Salem, N.C.
6:00 PM
Wake Forest University
vs
Maryland Eastern Shore
Deacs Set to Begin WNIT Run Against Maryland Eastern Shore
3/18/2026 6:21:00 PM | Women's Basketball
With a win on Thursday night, the Deacs would travel to play at Youngstown State on Tuesday with tipoff scheduled for 6:30 p.m. A television network will be announced at a later date.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Wake Forest women's basketball team is back in postseason play as the Demon Deacons are set to host Maryland Eastern Shore in the first round of the WNIT Thursday night at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
With a win on Thursday night, the Deacs would travel to play at Youngstown State on Tuesday with tipoff scheduled for 6:30 p.m. A television network will be announced at a later date.
The Demon Deacons (14-17, 4-14 ACC) are into postseason play for the second time under the direction of head coach Megan Gebbia while also reaching the ACC Tournament for the third time in her four seasons this year. The Deacs earned this opportunity with their most wins in ACC play since the 2022-23 season as well as the best non-conference record since the 2021-22 season. With nine wins to start the season, Wake Forest had its best start since the 2008-09 season, when the Deacs had 12 wins to start the season. Additionally, the Demon Deacons were the last undefeated in the ACC and one of just 28 teams in the country to win their first nine games of the season.
So far this season, the Deacs have been propelled by 17.1 assists per game which ranks 25th in the country and tied for second in the ACC and the 530 total assists this season ranks second in program history. The Deacs have seen the emergence of sophomore forward Grace Oliver this season as she is averaging a team-high 14.3 points per game and also ranking ninth nationally with 60.4 percent shooting from the floor which ranks first in the ACC by nearly five percent. Going into Thursday, the Deacs ranked nationally and seventh in the ACC, holding opponents to just 38.9 shooting from the field and also ranking 47th nationally in field goal percentage offense which is fifth in the ACC while also ranking 62th with a 33.9 three-point field goal percentage.
The Hawks (19-14, 11-3 MEAC) are in the midst of their winningest season in program history, eclipsing their previous record for wins in the final regular season game. Additionally, Maryland Eastern Shore had their highest conference winning percentage in program history this season. They have been one of the best teams in the country in forced turnovers so far this season, ranking 18th nationally and second in the MEAC with 21.3 forced per game. Additionally, the Hawks rank top 25 nationally in both free throws made and attempted.
Tipoff for Thursday is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. (ET) at LJVM Coliseum.
For those not at the arena, fans can tune in to ESPN+ 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).
Assists On Made Baskets
Wake Forest finished with 14 assists on 21 made baskets for the contest (66.7 percent). In 31 games this season, the Demon Deacons have totaled 530 assists on 775 field goals (68.4 percent) which would mark the highest percentage in a single season within the Megan Gebbia era.
The Demon Deacons are averaging 17.1 assists, tied for second in the ACC with Duke and behind only Virginia's 17.2. Additionally, the Deacs are on pace to have the second-most assists in program history and the 17.1 assists per game currently ranks fourth in program history:
The Deacs 530 assists this season is now ranked second most in school history:
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 Demon Deacons forced the Golden Bears into 11 turnovers. Wake Forest has forced 10 or more takeaways 96 times in the last 99 games, a stretch dating back to January of 2022.
Through 31 games, the Demon Deacons have forced 13.9 turnovers per game.
Owning the Paint
The Demon Deacons had another excellent game in the paint, with 38 points posted inside while allowing NC State to score 34.
Across 31 games, the Deacs have totaled 980 points in the paint (31.6 per game).
Sharpshooting Deacs
Over the last 18 games, the Demon Deacons have five double-digit three-point performances coming against Gardner-Webb, Pitt, NC State, Clemson, Virginia and Boston College. During that stretch, Wake Forest is averaging 7.4 threes made per game and the 132 threes made have accounted for 64.1 percent of the threes made for the entire season. Additionally, the Deacs are shooting at a high clip during that 18-game stretch, knocking down 132-of-335 3FG (39.4 pct.).
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 hit 599 threes in 96 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 and this season ranks seventh in program history:
Grace is Historically Efficient
So far this season, sophomore forward Grace Oliver has been one of the most efficient players in the country, leading the ACC in field goal percentage and ranking ninth nationally, shooting 60.4 percent from the field:
Additionally, she has had one of the best seasons in program history as her 60.4 percent ranks sixth in Wake Forest history.
In a win over Gardner-Webb in December, Oliver finished the night going a perfect 14-for-14 from the floor, setting the ACC and Wake Forest record for field goal attempts without a miss. The previous ACC record was 12-of -12 from the floor by four players and was last done by Kalista Walters (Pittsburgh) against Chicago State on Dec. 31, 2017.
Additionally, this is just the ninth known occurrence in NCAA history of a player making 14 or more shots without a miss and first since Tinara Moore (CMU) on Jan. 9, 2016.
Since the turn of the century, only four players in Division-I have had 14 or more field goal attempts without a miss:
Additionally, she recorded a new career-high with 30 points, breaking her previous high of 21 points against Mercer on Nov. 13. It also marks the first 30-plus point game by a Wake Forest forward since Dearica Hamby tallied 32 points against Georgia Tech on Feb. 28, 2015.
LAST TIME
Wake Forest vs. Cal (March 4)
Result: L – 52-75
Versus Maryland Eastern Shore
Series: Wake Forest leads 5-0
Last: Dec. 8, 2018
Result: W – 78-67
The winner of the game will play at Youngstown on Tuesday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. A television network will be announced at a later time.
With a win on Thursday night, the Deacs would travel to play at Youngstown State on Tuesday with tipoff scheduled for 6:30 p.m. A television network will be announced at a later date.
The Demon Deacons (14-17, 4-14 ACC) are into postseason play for the second time under the direction of head coach Megan Gebbia while also reaching the ACC Tournament for the third time in her four seasons this year. The Deacs earned this opportunity with their most wins in ACC play since the 2022-23 season as well as the best non-conference record since the 2021-22 season. With nine wins to start the season, Wake Forest had its best start since the 2008-09 season, when the Deacs had 12 wins to start the season. Additionally, the Demon Deacons were the last undefeated in the ACC and one of just 28 teams in the country to win their first nine games of the season.
So far this season, the Deacs have been propelled by 17.1 assists per game which ranks 25th in the country and tied for second in the ACC and the 530 total assists this season ranks second in program history. The Deacs have seen the emergence of sophomore forward Grace Oliver this season as she is averaging a team-high 14.3 points per game and also ranking ninth nationally with 60.4 percent shooting from the floor which ranks first in the ACC by nearly five percent. Going into Thursday, the Deacs ranked nationally and seventh in the ACC, holding opponents to just 38.9 shooting from the field and also ranking 47th nationally in field goal percentage offense which is fifth in the ACC while also ranking 62th with a 33.9 three-point field goal percentage.
The Hawks (19-14, 11-3 MEAC) are in the midst of their winningest season in program history, eclipsing their previous record for wins in the final regular season game. Additionally, Maryland Eastern Shore had their highest conference winning percentage in program history this season. They have been one of the best teams in the country in forced turnovers so far this season, ranking 18th nationally and second in the MEAC with 21.3 forced per game. Additionally, the Hawks rank top 25 nationally in both free throws made and attempted.
Tipoff for Thursday is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. (ET) at LJVM Coliseum.
For those not at the arena, fans can tune in to ESPN+ 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).
Assists On Made Baskets
Wake Forest finished with 14 assists on 21 made baskets for the contest (66.7 percent). In 31 games this season, the Demon Deacons have totaled 530 assists on 775 field goals (68.4 percent) which would mark the highest percentage in a single season within the Megan Gebbia era.
The Demon Deacons are averaging 17.1 assists, tied for second in the ACC with Duke and behind only Virginia's 17.2. Additionally, the Deacs are on pace to have the second-most assists in program history and the 17.1 assists per game currently ranks fourth in program history:
| Season | Total Assists | Total Games | Assists/G |
| 1987-88 | 563 | 31 | 18.2 |
| 1988-89 | 484 | 28 | 17.3 |
| 1986-87 | 466 | 27 | 17.3 |
| 2025-26 | 530 | 31 | 17.1 |
| 1989-90 | 469 | 28 | 16.8 |
The Deacs 530 assists this season is now ranked second most in school history:
| Rank | Total Assists | Year |
| 1. | 563 | 1987-88 |
| 2. | 530 | 2025-26 |
| 3. | 489 | 2004-05 |
| 4. | 488 | 1989-90 |
| 5. | 484 | 1988-89 |
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 Demon Deacons forced the Golden Bears into 11 turnovers. Wake Forest has forced 10 or more takeaways 96 times in the last 99 games, a stretch dating back to January of 2022.
Through 31 games, the Demon Deacons have forced 13.9 turnovers per game.
Owning the Paint
The Demon Deacons had another excellent game in the paint, with 38 points posted inside while allowing NC State to score 34.
Across 31 games, the Deacs have totaled 980 points in the paint (31.6 per game).
Sharpshooting Deacs
Over the last 18 games, the Demon Deacons have five double-digit three-point performances coming against Gardner-Webb, Pitt, NC State, Clemson, Virginia and Boston College. During that stretch, Wake Forest is averaging 7.4 threes made per game and the 132 threes made have accounted for 64.1 percent of the threes made for the entire season. Additionally, the Deacs are shooting at a high clip during that 18-game stretch, knocking down 132-of-335 3FG (39.4 pct.).
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 hit 599 threes in 96 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 and this season ranks seventh in program history:
| Rank | Single-Season Threes Made | Year |
| 1. | 275 | 2004-05 |
| 2. | 227 | 2022-23 |
| 3. | 215 | 2005-06 |
| 4. | 206 | 2025-26 |
| 5. | 204 | 2023-24 |
So far this season, sophomore forward Grace Oliver has been one of the most efficient players in the country, leading the ACC in field goal percentage and ranking ninth nationally, shooting 60.4 percent from the field:
| Rank | Field Goal Percentage |
| 1. Grace Oliver (Wake Forest) | 60.4 pct. |
| 2. Ra Shayna Kyle (Miami) | 56.3 pct. |
| T3. Uche Izoje (Syracuse) | 55.6 pct. |
| T3. Sakima Walker (Cal) | 55.6 pct. |
| 5. Toby Fournier (Duke) | 53.2 pct. |
Additionally, she has had one of the best seasons in program history as her 60.4 percent ranks sixth in Wake Forest history.
In a win over Gardner-Webb in December, Oliver finished the night going a perfect 14-for-14 from the floor, setting the ACC and Wake Forest record for field goal attempts without a miss. The previous ACC record was 12-of -12 from the floor by four players and was last done by Kalista Walters (Pittsburgh) against Chicago State on Dec. 31, 2017.
Additionally, this is just the ninth known occurrence in NCAA history of a player making 14 or more shots without a miss and first since Tinara Moore (CMU) on Jan. 9, 2016.
Since the turn of the century, only four players in Division-I have had 14 or more field goal attempts without a miss:
| Player (School) | Date | Opponent | Field Goals | Points |
| Grace Oliver (Wake Forest) | Dec. 22, 2025 | Gardner-Webb | 14-of-14 | 30 |
| Tinara Moore (CMU) | Jan. 9, 2016 | Akron | 16-of-16 | 35 |
| Dyana Pierre (SIU) | Dec. 16, 2014 | Murray State | 14-of-14 | 31 |
| Gwen Jackson (Tennessee) | Nov. 29, 2002 | PR-May | 14-of-14 | 28 |
Additionally, she recorded a new career-high with 30 points, breaking her previous high of 21 points against Mercer on Nov. 13. It also marks the first 30-plus point game by a Wake Forest forward since Dearica Hamby tallied 32 points against Georgia Tech on Feb. 28, 2015.
LAST TIME
Wake Forest vs. Cal (March 4)
Result: L – 52-75
- The Demon Deacons were led by junior guard/forward Mary Carter who finished the night with a team-high 13 points to go along with five rebounds, two assists and a steal. The Rocklin, Calif.-native knocked down three of her four attempts from beyond-the-arc.
- Carter has been playing her best basketball as of late with double-figure scoring in each of the last four games. This included a season-best 19-point performance in a road victory at Boston College. Over the last four games, Carter is averaging 15.0 points per game.
Versus Maryland Eastern Shore
Series: Wake Forest leads 5-0
Last: Dec. 8, 2018
Result: W – 78-67
- Udoh was 7-of-8 from the field and finished with 15 points while adding 10 rebounds to secure her second double-double of the season.
- The junior was joined in double figures by Elisa Penna, who scored a team-high 23 points and Ivana Raca, who added 15. Alex Sharp nearly matched Udoh with a double-double by bringing in 10 rebounds and scoring nine points. Gina Conti matched a season-high with nine assists, one shy of her career best, and added eight points.
The winner of the game will play at Youngstown on Tuesday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. A television network will be announced at a later time.
Players Mentioned
Guard/Forward
/ Women's Basketball
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