In a hard-fought ACC showdown, No. 4 Wake Forest narrowly defeated No. 7 UNC 67-66 in front of their home crowd. Despite a rough start and shooting struggles in the first half, the Demon Deacons rallied in the second half to secure the win, thanks to strong defensive efforts and key performances from Tre’Von Spillers and Efton Reid III.
Game Overview
A Slow Start for Wake Forest
The Demon Deacons struggled out of the gate, missing their first three shots and committing early turnovers. Their first points came from two free throws by Efton Reid III. By halftime, Wake Forest had yet to record a single assist, shooting a dismal 29% from the field and 0-6 from beyond the arc. Despite their offensive woes, the Deacons’ defense kept them in the game, trailing UNC by just two points at halftime (31-29).
Second Half Surge
The second half saw a much-improved Wake Forest offense, led by Tre’Von Spillers and Efton Reid III, who each scored 10 points after the break. Spillers hit a rare three-pointer during a critical 12-2 run that put the Deacs ahead 65-56 with just over a minute left in the game.
- Key Stats: Wake Forest recorded their highest rebound total in an ACC game this season, out-rebounding UNC 41-33.
- Defensive Standouts: Spillers contributed four blocks, while Reid III anchored the interior defense.
UNC’s Comeback Falls Short
The Tar Heels attempted a late-game rally, cutting into Wake Forest’s lead, but ultimately fell one point short. RJ Davis and Elliot Cadeau led the way for UNC, combining for 34 points. However, their efforts couldn’t erase the team’s second straight heartbreaking loss, following a 72-71 defeat to Stanford on Saturday.
Player Performances
Wake Forest Standouts
- Tre’Von Spillers: Stepped up in the second half with 10 points, a crucial three-pointer, and dominant defense with four blocks.
- Efton Reid III: Added 10 second-half points and was a force in the paint on both ends.
- Cameron Hildreth and Hunter Sallis: Combined for 34 points, attacking the paint and drawing fouls to generate offense.
UNC Leaders
- RJ Davis and Elliot Cadeau: Also combined for 34 points, providing most of the Tar Heels’ offensive production.
Key Takeaways
- Wake Forest’s Resilience: Despite a poor shooting performance in the first half, the Demon Deacons stayed focused, relying on defense and rebounding to stay in the game and eventually take control in the second half.
- UNC’s Struggles Continue: The Tar Heels are now on a two-game losing streak and slipping out of the NCAA Tournament conversation. They’ll need to regroup quickly to salvage their season.
- Defense Wins Games: Wake’s defensive effort, highlighted by Spillers’ four blocks and a dominant rebounding performance, proved to be the difference-maker in the tight contest.
Wake Forest’s narrow 67-66 victory over UNC highlights the importance of defense, resilience, and teamwork. While the Demon Deacons continue to solidify their position in the ACC, the Tar Heels face mounting pressure to turn their season around before it’s too late.
