BERKELEY, Calif. – The Wake Forest Demon Deacons (18-6, 10-3 ACC) continued their winning streak in ACC play with a 76-66 victory over California on Saturday afternoon. The win marked Wake Forest’s 10th ACC victory of the season and the first time an ACC team has swept both California-based teams on the road this year.
Key Performers
- Cameron Hildreth (Senior Guard):
- 23 points, 5 steals (career-high)
- Has scored 20+ points in seven ACC games this season
- Hunter Sallis (Senior Guard):
- 20 points, 8 rebounds
- Efton Reid III (Senior Forward):
- Career-high 19 points on 8-of-9 shooting
- 2-for-2 from three-point range
- Ty-Laur Johnson (Sophomore Guard):
- 6 assists, 4 steals, 6 points
How It Happened
First Half
- Both teams exchanged leads early in the half.
- Cameron Hildreth’s three-pointer and Efton Reid’s inside presence helped Wake Forest go on a 7-0 run to take control.
- Wake Forest finished the half strong, leading 31-29 at halftime, with Hildreth, Sallis, and Reid each contributing nine points.
Second Half
- Wake Forest’s offense came alive, shooting 73.9% (17-of-23) in the second half, their best shooting performance of the season.
- An 8-0 run, fueled by Hildreth and Reid, extended the lead to 48-42.
- Wake Forest’s defense stepped up, holding California without a field goal for over five minutes late in the game.
- Sallis, Hildreth, and Johnson sealed the win with key baskets and free throws down the stretch.
Team Stats
- Field Goal Percentage: 57.7% (best of the season)
- Paint Points: 48-16 advantage for Wake Forest
- Turnovers: 13 forced turnovers, 12 steals (season-high)
- Assists: 15 team assists
- Rebounding: Limited California to just two offensive rebounds in the final 12 minutes
Key Moment
With the game tied at 42-42 in the second half, Omaha Biliew knocked down a jumper, followed by a three-pointer from Reid and a floating jumper from Hildreth to spark an 8-0 run that gave the Deacs a lead they never relinquished.
Coach Steve Forbes’ Comments
“I’m very proud of the team. We showed incredible togetherness and chemistry throughout this trip. Defensively, from about the 8:50 mark to the 3-minute mark, we really locked in and held them without a field goal.
Our offense was also outstanding—72% from the paint and 77% shooting in the second half. When we shared the ball and passed more than three times per possession, we had 28 points on 21 possessions, which is really efficient.”
Stats of the Game
- Top Scorers:
- Cameron Hildreth – 23 points
- Hunter Sallis – 20 points
- Efton Reid – 19 points
- Team Steals: 12 (season-high)
- Shooting: 57.7% from the field
With momentum on their side, the Demon Deacons will continue their push toward the ACC Tournament with upcoming conference matchups. Wake Forest’s strong offense and improved defensive intensity will be key as they aim for a high tournament seed.
The team’s balanced scoring, efficient passing, and defensive focus make them a tough opponent heading into the final stretch of the season.
