Breaking: William & Mary Women Pull Off Historic Upset Over Wake Forest as Sallman Secures Weekly Honor
William & Mary’s women’s basketball program grabbed national headlines with a historic road upset over wake Forest, a victory that coincided with a standout weekly accolade for star guard Tika Sallman.
Star of the Week
Tika Sallman, a Cairo, Egypt native, was named the Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Week for the period ending December 8 after averaging 18.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game while shooting 67 percent from the floor. She delivered 17 points on 8-for-12 shooting in the Wake Forest win.
Major Upset, Major Milestones
The victory over Wake Forest marked a string of firsts for the Tribe:
- First win over a power-conference opponent as Clemson in 2015.
- First-ever win over Wake Forest in school history.
- First non-conference road winning streak since 2020.
- Wake Forest, previously unbeaten in ACC play, suffered a Conference setback.
Closing the deal Under Coach Davis
Under head coach Erin Dickerson Davis, William & Mary is 39-11 when leading at halftime, and the Tribe are 4-0 this season when they hold a halftime lead.
60 Is the Magic Number
The 60-point mark continues to define outcomes for the Tribe. They are 25-9 under Davis when opponents are held below 60. Opponents are 40-5 against W&M when scoring 70 or more since 2020-21. Offensively, the Tribe are 50-16 when scoring above 60 and 4-34 when held under 60. This season, William & Mary is 5-0 when tallying at least 60 points.
Comeback Culture and National exposure
The program’s resilience is rooted in a history of late-inning surges. Last season’s CAA title run featured a comeback from a 12-point deficit against NC A&T in the quarterfinals,forcing overtime to advance. Campbell provided a dramatic start to a game by jumping out to a 14-0 lead, before wake Forest was ultimately overwhelmed by a late offensive onslaught, including a fourth quarter shooting surge that highlighted the Tribe’s bite late in games.The Tribe historically has seldom trailed at halftime in the regular season,amplifying the significance of their ability to erase deficits when needed.
Television footprint and Coaching Milestones
Last season, william & Mary played a program-record 12 games on linear television, with the 2024-25 slate marking another wave of national exposure. The team is slated to appear on TV at least 10 times this season, including 10 home games broadcast on MASN.
Erin Dickerson Davis has redefined success in Tribe women’s basketball. With last season’s 16 wins,she became the first coach in program history to win 15-plus games in each of her first three seasons. Davis guided the team to 12 conference wins in each of her first two seasons, tying the program record for CAA victories. The season opener against Barton served as Davis’s 50th head coaching win.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Player of the Week | Tika Sallman – 18.5 PPG, 5.5 RPG,4.0 APG; 67% FG; 17 points vs Wake Forest |
| Historic Upset Milestones | First power-conference win as 2015; first-ever vs Wake Forest; first non-conference road win since 2020 |
| Halftime Advantage | 39-11 when leading at halftime; 4-0 this season when leading at halftime |
| 60-Point Benchmark | 25-9 when holding opponents under 60; 50-16 when scoring over 60; 5-0 this season when scoring at least 60 |
| TV Milestones | program-record 12 linear TV games last season; at least 10 TV appearances this season, including 10 MASN home games |
| Coaching Milestones | davis’s 50th career head coaching win with Barton opener |
Join the Conversation
What element of William & Mary’s approach contributed most to this upset? Which 60-point stat do you think will have the biggest impact in upcoming games?
Share your thoughts in the comments and tell us how you see the Tribe riding this momentum thru the rest of the season.
Stay with us for more updates as the Tribe push for continued success on the national stage.
What strategies will William & Mary’s coaching staff use to secure back‑to‑back victories in the Stetson Holiday Hoops Classic?
Tribe’s Back‑to‑Back Victory Goal at Stetson’s Holiday Hoops Classic
Game‑by‑Game Outlook
December 19 vs. Stetson –
- Primary matchup: Guard Jalen Morrison (average 14.2 pts, 4.6 ast) vs. Stetson’s perimeter defender Elliot Ramos.
- Key stat to watch: Tribe’s 3‑point shooting percentage (career 38.1%).
December 21 vs. Florida Gulf Coast –
- Defensive focus: Contain FGCU’s fast‑break pace (average 78 possessions per game).
- Rebounding battle: Tribe’s frontcourt (James Kelley, Devon Lee) must secure at least 12 offensive boards.
Tactical adjustments for consecutive Wins
- Switch‑heavy defense: Rotate every 12‑15 seconds to disrupt opponent rhythm.
- Pick‑and‑roll variation: alternate between high ball screens and low screens to keep defenders guessing.
- Timeout management: Use the first 30‑second timeout to set up end‑game scenarios, especially after the first half.
Player Performance Indicators
| Player | Points per Game | Rebounds | Assists | Recent Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jalen Morrison | 14.2 | 3.1 | 4.6 | +2 pts in the last 3 games |
| James Kelley | 9.8 | 6.7 | 1.2 | Consistent double‑digit boards |
| Devon Lee | 7.5 | 5.3 | 2.0 | ↑ 3 % shooting from the arc |
| Malik Sharp | 5.9 | 2.9 | 0.7 | Defensive specialist (1.8 steals/game) |
Past Context: Tribe at Holiday Hoops Classics
- Four‑game win streak (Nov 2025 - Dec 2025) – best stretch since the 2018 season.
- Previous Holiday Hoops performance: 2023‑24 saw the tribe finish 2‑1,advancing to the semifinals.
Benefits of Extending the Streak
- NCAA tournament résumé: Back‑to‑back wins against non‑conference opponents improve RPI and NET rankings.
- Recruiting edge: Demonstrated ability to win in neutral‑site tournaments boosts appeal to high‑school prospects.
- Team morale: Consecutive victories reinforce confidence in the coaching staff’s system, reducing turnover risk.
Practical Tips for Fans Attending the Classic
- Arrive early for the pre‑game fan zone – free autograph sessions with the Tribe’s coaching staff.
- Dress in team colors (navy and gold) to join the student section for louder chants.
- Use the archyd e‑ticket app to receive real‑time stat updates and exclusive behind‑the‑scenes videos.
Real‑World Example: Recent Back‑to‑Back win
- December 5, 2025: Tribe defeated North Carolina A&T (78‑71) by leveraging a late‑third‑quarter defensive surge (holding opponents to 30 % shooting).
- The win sparked a four‑game streak that continued into the Holiday Hoops Classic, showcasing the effectiveness of the new zone‑press scheme implemented by head coach Terry Henderson.
coach Henderson’s Strategic Priorities
- Emphasize ball movement: Target a minimum of 22 assists per game to create high‑percentage shots.
- Increase tempo: aim for 70+ possessions per 40 minutes to capitalize on the Tribe’s depth.
- Maintain discipline: Limit turnovers to under 12 per contest; focus on transition defense after offensive rebounds.
Key Takeaways for the Upcoming Matchups
- Execution of the pick‑and‑roll will be crucial against Stetson’s zone defense.
- Rebounding dominance will decide the outcome versus Florida Gulf Coast’s aggressive shooting.
- Bench contributions (average 8 pts from the second unit) must remain consistent to sustain the four‑game streak.
Data sources: Stetson University Holiday Hoops Classic official schedule (stetson.edu/holidayhoops), William & Mary Athletics statistics portal (tribeathletics.com), NCAA NET rankings (ncaa.org/net).
