DALLAS, TX – Behind a balanced scoring attack and lockdown defense, the Wake Forest men’s basketball team (19-7, 11-4 ACC) secured an impressive 77-66 road victory over SMU (19-6, 10-4 ACC) on Saturday night at Moody Coliseum.
With a strong Demon Deacon fan presence in Dallas, Wake Forest picked up its sixth ACC road win of the season and third straight away victory after sweeping the West Coast road trip last week.
Game Highlights
- Hunter Sallis (20 PTS, 9 REB, 6 AST) – Led all scorers, just missing a double-double.
- Parker Friedrichsen (18 PTS, 5 3PM, 4 REB) – Season-high performance in front of 100+ hometown fans.
- Ty-Laur Johnson (12 PTS, 4-5 FG) – Efficient shooting night.
- Efton Reid III (10 PTS, 8 REB, 2 BLK) – Controlled the paint on both ends.
- Tre’Von Spillers (8 PTS, 11 REB) – Dominated the glass.
- Juke Harris (9 PTS, 5 REB) – Solid performance in his first career start.
Wake Forest held SMU to just 36.1% shooting, including 8-for-35 (22.9%) from three-point range, while forcing 10 turnovers.
Key Stats
| Category | Wake Forest | SMU |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goals | 24-50 (48.0%) | 22-61 (36.1%) |
| Three-Pointers | 7-20 (35.0%) | 8-35 (22.9%) |
| Free Throws | 22-31 (71.0%) | 14-18 (77.8%) |
| Rebounds | 43 | 31 |
| Assists | 15 | 13 |
| Turnovers | 10 | 10 |
How It Happened
First Half
- Wake Forest trailed 13-3 early after a slow start, but Parker Friedrichsen’s three-pointer ignited the offense.
- The Deacs took their first lead at 23-22 after a pair of Sallis free throws.
- Wake Forest entered halftime down 34-32, despite forcing four turnovers and holding SMU to 25% from three.
Second Half
- Wake Forest opened with a 9-2 run, taking a 42-36 lead after a Juke Harris dunk.
- The Deacs locked in defensively, holding SMU scoreless for nearly nine minutes.
- Friedrichsen drilled a fadeaway three to give Wake Forest its largest lead (67-53) with 4:52 remaining.
- The Demon Deacons controlled the tempo down the stretch, securing the 77-66 win.
Key Moment
Trailing 13-3 early, Wake Forest fought back with a 14-5 run, sparked by offensive rebounds and Friedrichsen’s three-point shooting. The momentum shift carried through the rest of the game, as the Deacs never let SMU regain control.
Coach Steve Forbes on the Win
“That was a really good win for our team. SMU had won eight of their last nine, so we knew this would be a tough challenge. We didn’t start well, but we settled in, played great defense, and controlled the game in the second half. I’m proud of how our guys responded.”
What’s Next?
Wake Forest returns home for a crucial ACC matchup:
- Next Game: vs. NC State
- Location: Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum
- Broadcast: ACC Network
With March Madness approaching, the Demon Deacons look to strengthen their NCAA Tournament resume.
