Coming off two straight wins, Wake Forest Men’s basketball sought to continue its momentum at home against Clemson. This matchup posed a big challenge for the Demon Deacons as the Tigers were just outside the Top 25 this week, receiving votes but narrowly missing the rankings after back-to-back losses last week to Duke and Virginia Tech.
Looking to bounce back, Clemson hoped to get a win against a Wake Forest team 5.5 games behind in the ACC standings.
It was clear from the tip that Wake Forest gained some confidence from their previous wins, jumping to an early lead, blossoming to as large as 20 points in the first half. However, Clemson started to cut into the lead towards the end of the first, but Wake Forest still led 45-32 at halftime. Myles Colvin led the Deacons in the first half, scoring 14 points and shooting a perfect 5-5 from the field, including 4 3-pointers. Colvin’s stellar play helped Wake hold a 13-point lead, shooting 67% from the field and 50% from the 3-point line.
Clemson continued to narrow the score at the start of the second half as Wake started to cool down. The Tigers went on a 16-1 run that started in the first and resumed in the second, cutting the lead to as low as 5 points. Despite this, whenever Clemson tightened the gap, the Deacons always had an answer. Thanks to terrific all-around offensive play, Wake Forest extended their winning streak to three for a final score of 85-77.
Unsurprisingly, Juke Harris led the Demon Deacons, scoring 20 points and grabbing 7 rebounds en route to the win. Harris now ranks No. 42 on the NBA big board, making it more and more likely he will hear his name called in late June for the NBA draft. Guards Sebastian Akins and Mekhi Mason made great contributions, scoring 16 and 13 points, respectively. Mason has been a terrific spark plug off the bench as of late, continuing to relieve pressure from Harris.
Another key to success for the Deacons was their improved ability to force turnovers. They had eight steals Wednesday night, leading to 12 points off turnovers. However, the simple fix to their losing ways was their improved shooting. Clemson actually matched Wake in most major statistical categories, but allowing an opponent to shoot 55% from the fieldmakes it all the more difficult to win.
Clemson stayed within striking distance for much of the game thanks to strong efforts from forwards Jake Wahlin and Carter Welling, combining for 30 points on the night. Clemson Head Coach Brad Brownell will not be happy with the 68% free-throw conversion rate for the Tigers. They now sit at No. 4 in the ACC standings.
This was a fantastic win for Steve Forbes and the Demon Deacons. Their confidence is at an all-time high after a great offensive performance against the No. 19-ranked team in defensive efficiency. Five players finished with double-digit points, a promising sign for the future.
“Tonight felt more like a team win for us in the Joel, the way we have played,” said Forbes following tonight’s game. “And it felt good.”
Wake will look to continue their winning streak this Saturday, Feb. 21, in Blacksburg, Va., against the Virginia Tech Hokies. The previous matchup between these two teams in January was a nailbiter. The Demon Deacons secured the win thanks to a clutch Nate Calmese 3-pointer, with only seconds left on the clock. The Hokies will certainly be looking for revenge as they aim to cement their spot in March Madness.
