Preview: Wake Forest at Pittsburgh Women’s Basketball PITTSBURGH (Interstat) — A surging Wake Forest team visits a struggling Pittsburgh squad to open the Atlantic Coast Conference calendar on New Year’s Day. The Demon Deacons (11-3) travel to face the Panthers (7-8) on Thursday at Petersen Events Center. Wake Forest has won two of its last three, including a 78-66 victory over Gardner-Webb on Dec. 22. Pittsburgh seeks to halt a three-game skid, most recently a 94-59 loss at Notre Dame on Monday. Wake Forest is led by guard Grace Oliver, who is coming off a career-high 30-point performance against Gardner-Webb, adding seven rebounds and four assists. Over her last five games, Oliver is averaging 17 points per contest. Pittsburgh will counter with guard Mikayla Johnson, who has been a bright spot during the losing streak. She scored 22 points against the Fighting Irish and 23 in a loss at Duquesne on Dec. 21. Johnson has averaged 15.2 points over her last five outings. The Demon Deacons have relied on a balanced attack. In the win over Gardner-Webb, Mary Carter added 16 points, seven rebounds and six assists, while Milan Brown grabbed 10 rebounds. Panthers forward Fatima Diakhate, who had 12 points and two blocks against Notre Dame, will be key in the interior matchup. Wake Forest’s defense, which has held opponents under 60 points in six wins this season, will test a Pittsburgh offense that has been held to 69 points or fewer in four of its last five games. This marks the conference opener for both teams. Following this game, Wake Forest hosts Syracuse on Jan. 4, while Pittsburgh travels to face Boston College the same day. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST Thursday.