Wake Forest defeats North Carolina 78-84
Wake Forest Edges North Carolina in Thrilling Comeback Victory
In a back-and-forth contest that saw 11 lead changes, visiting Wake Forest (12-6) managed to erase an 11-point halftime deficit and secure a thrilling 84-78 victory over ranked home team North Carolina (15-4).
The Tar Heels took control early, building a 49-38 lead at the break. However, the Demon Deacons came out firing on all cylinders in the second half, thanks in large part to Juke Harris' hot shooting.
Harris, who scored 28 points, including five three-pointers, was nearly unstoppable in the second half. His efforts helped Wake Forest cut the deficit to just two points early in the fourth quarter before eventually taking a lead of their own with just over four minutes remaining.
North Carolina would not go quietly, however, as Henri Veesaar led the charge, scoring 12 points in the final frame, including six in a crucial stretch that tied the game. The Tar Heels' Caleb Wilson also chipped in on both ends, grabbing 12 rebounds and dishing out four assists to keep his team in contention.
Despite the valiant effort from Veesaar and company, Wake Forest's depth and rebounding ultimately proved too much for North Carolina. The Demon Deacons held a significant edge on the glass, outrebounding the Tar Heels 27-35.
In terms of advanced statistics, it was clear that both teams struggled with efficiency. Wake Forest shot an impressive 48% from the field, while North Carolina struggled to find its range beyond the arc, shooting just 35%. The Demon Deacons also made a concerted effort to attack the paint, scoring 30 points in the process.
The win keeps Wake Forest competitive in the ACC standings, and they will look to build on this momentum as they head into their next matchup. Meanwhile, North Carolina will need to regroup and refocus after suffering its first loss to an unranked opponent this season.
For now, the Demon Deacons can celebrate a hard-fought victory that showcased their resilience and determination in the face of adversity.
Game Stats:
* Field Goals: Wake Forest 31/64 (48.0%), North Carolina 29/55 (53.0%)
* 3-Point FG: Wake Forest 14/35 (40.0%), North Carolina 9/26 (35.0%)
* Free Throws: Wake Forest 8/11 (73.0%), North Carolina 20/30 (67.0%)
* Rebounds: Wake Forest 27, North Carolina 35
* Assists: Wake Forest 13, North Carolina 20
Key Performers:
* Juke Harris (Wake Forest): 28 points, 5-12 3PT, 55.6% FG
* Henri Veesaar (North Carolina): 25 points, 2-3 3PT, 90.0% FG