Dec. 1, 2008

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WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - The Wake Forest women's basketball team is set to host South Carolina on Wednesday at 11 a.m. in the Joel Coliseum. The meeting marks the first time the teams have faced each other in over a decade.

In the NCAA Division I statistics released on Monday, the Demon Deacons (5-0) were ranked No.1 in scoring defense, holding opponents to an average of 45.2 points per game. South Carolina (3-2) is ranked fourth in the category with an opponent scoring average of 48.6.

Additionally, Wake Forest is ranked No.1 in steals per game with 17.4, followed by South Florida who averages 16 per game. The Deacons rank second in turnover margin with an average of 11.4 fewer turnovers than their opponents.

Wake Forest is also currently one of 17 DI teams who remain undefeated in 2008-09.

The Gamecocks are in their first year with head coach Dawn Staley, a former WNBA star and three-time gold medalist. Staley served as the Temple head coach from 2000-08 where she guided the Owls to six 20+ victory seasons.

Over the holiday weekend the Gamecocks topped Ohio and UNC Wilmington to take the Cancun Thanksgiving Classic title in Mexico. South Carolina also holds a win over Davidson and losses to Clemson and Penn State.

Senior guard Brionna Dickerson leads the Gamecocks in scoring with 10 points per game while Demetress Adams, a senior forward, leads the team in rebounding with 8.6 per game.

The teams have only met one other time, in November 1995. The Gamecocks posted an 83-69 win over the Deacons in Winston-Salem. Both teams have had two head coaching changes since the meeting.

South Carolina is the first of two Southeastern Conference opponents the Deacons will play in the regular season. On December 21 Wake Forest will play Mississippi in Orlando at the Central Florida Classic.

Wake Forest will follow up the Gamecock contest with Coppin State on Saturday, December 6 at 2 p.m.

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