Full Breakdown
Wake Forest Women's Basketball Secures Victory Over Gardner-Webb
12/23/2025, 1:25:27 AM
Game Overview
On December 22, 2025, the Wake Forest women's basketball team concluded its non-conference schedule with a 78-66 victory against Gardner-Webb at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This match marked the third meeting between the two teams, with Wake Forest having won the previous encounters, including a 73-52 victory last December.
Key Performances
Sophomore forward Grace Oliver delivered a historic performance, achieving a perfect shooting night with 14 field goals on 14 attempts, totaling 30 points. This accomplishment set a new Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and Wake Forest record for field goal attempts without a miss, surpassing the previous ACC record of 12-for-12. Oliver's achievement is notable as it is only the ninth instance in NCAA history where a player has made 14 or more shots without a miss.
In addition to Oliver's standout performance, Wake Forest demonstrated strong teamwork, recording 27 assists on 30 made baskets, which translates to a remarkable 90% assist rate. This statistic represents the highest assist percentage in the Megan Gebbia coaching era and the most assists in a single game since at least the 2009-10 season.
Team Statistics
Wake Forest's defense has been a significant factor in their success this season, allowing an average of 54.8 points per game, the third-lowest in the ACC. The Demon Deacons have yet to concede more than 67 points in any game this season, showcasing their defensive prowess. They also rank first in the ACC and 11th nationally for field goal percentage defense at 33.6%.
Gardner-Webb, now with a record of 3-11, struggled against Wake Forest's defense, despite notable performances from their players. The Runnin' Bulldogs have shown defensive strength in their victories, allowing only 51 points per game in their three wins.
Official Statements & Responses
Head coach Megan Gebbia praised the team's performance, stating, "It is a good win especially the way we finished this game in the second half. We have now put ourselves in a good position going into just conference play." She acknowledged the need for improvement, particularly regarding the team's 19 turnovers.
What's Next
Following this victory, Wake Forest (11-3, 1-1 ACC) will begin its conference play with a matchup against the Pittsburgh Panthers on January 3, 2026. The team aims to carry the momentum from their non-conference success into the ACC season.
Verbatim Quotes
“Unbelievable game from Grace tonight with a career high 30 points and an ACC record going 14-of-14 FG.” — Megan Gebbia, Head Coach, Wake Forest