Winston-Salem, N.C. – Wake Forest defeated Clemson 85-77 Wednesday night, fueled by a dominant offensive performance and a strong start that the Tigers couldn’t overcome. The victory marks the third consecutive win for the Demon Deacons, improving their record to 14-12 overall and 5-8 in the Atlantic Coast Conference. This Wake Forest basketball win comes as Clemson, previously boasting a 20-7 record and 10-4 ACC standing, faces a three-game losing streak.
Juke Harris led all scorers with 20 points, spearheading a balanced Wake Forest attack that saw five players reach double figures. Sebastian Akins added 16 points, while Myles Colvin contributed 14 – all in the first half – with four successful three-pointers. Mekhi Mason finished with 13, and Tre’Von Spillers rounded out the double-digit scorers with 10 points. The Demon Deacons shot an impressive 55% from the field, converting 28 of 51 attempts, and were efficient from beyond the arc, making 10 of 22 three-point shots (45%).
Clemson struggled to contain Wake Forest’s offense, particularly in the first half. Jake Wahlin led the Tigers with 17 points, while Carter Welling and Ace Buckner each added 13. However, Clemson’s shooting percentage of 46% (26-56) and 31% from three-point range (8-26) proved insufficient to close the gap. The Tigers attempted a second-half comeback, opening with a 9-1 run to cut the deficit to 46-41, but were unable to sustain the momentum.
Demon Deacons Jump Out to Early Lead
Wake Forest established control early, embarking on a 22-8 run to build a substantial lead. The Demon Deacons’ largest lead of the night reached 20 points midway through the first half, and they entered halftime with a 45-32 advantage. The team’s strong shooting in the first half – 67% overall and 6 of 12 from long range – set the tone for the game. According to game statistics, Wake Forest led for 94% of the contest.
FINAL SCORE: Wake Forest 85, Clemson 77
Juke Harris led all scorers with 20 points as the Demon Deacons cruised past the Tigers Wednesday night. https://t.co/q9wJq9q9q9
Key Stats and Game Flow
Beyond the scoring leaders, the game featured notable performances in other areas. Carter Welling of Clemson grabbed 7 rebounds, while Juke Harris of Wake Forest contributed 6. The Demon Deacons secured 27 rebounds compared to Clemson’s 27. Wake Forest committed 10 turnovers, while Clemson had 9. The game was officiated by Lee Cassell, Tony Padilla, and Marques Pettigrew. ESPN’s game recap details the flow of the game, including individual plays and scoring drives.
Looking Ahead for Both Teams
Wake Forest will seem to continue its winning streak on the road Saturday, facing Virginia Tech. Clemson, seeking to break its losing streak, will host Florida State on Saturday. The outcome of these upcoming games will be crucial as both teams navigate the remainder of the ACC schedule and position themselves for the conference tournament. This college basketball matchup highlighted the contrasting fortunes of the two programs at this stage of the season.
The Demon Deacons’ recent success, including this ACC basketball victory, demonstrates their potential to be a competitive force in the conference. Conversely, Clemson’s recent struggles raise questions about their consistency and ability to maintain their early-season form. Fans can find updates and analysis on the AP Top 25 college basketball poll here.
This game, a key contest in the ACC standings, showcased the competitive nature of college basketball and the importance of strong starts and consistent offensive execution. The Wake Forest Demon Deacons will aim to carry their momentum into their next game, while the Clemson Tigers will look to regroup and rediscover their winning form.
Share your thoughts on the game and the teams’ prospects in the comments below.
