Recap
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Wake Forest Demon Deacons Face Setback Against Ranked Louisville Cardinals

In a conference game that saw the Wake Forest Demon Deacons fall to the Louisville Cardinals with a final score of 59-72, both teams showcased their strengths and weaknesses throughout the match. The Demon Deacons now stand at a record of 0-1 for the season, while the Cardinals improve to 1-0. Despite a spirited second-half performance by Wake Forest, scoring 38 points compared to their first half's 21, it wasn't enough to overcome Louisville's commanding lead established in the first half.


Jan 28, 2025; Louisville, Kentucky, USA;  The Louisville Cardinals Ladybirds perform during the second half against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at KFC Yum! Center. Louisville defeated Wake Forest 72-59. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images

Demon Deacons' Efforts and Standout Performances


The game was marked by intense moments and notable performances from several Wake Forest players. Hunter Sallis led his team with 13 points, adding five rebounds and one block to his tally but struggled with efficiency, shooting only 42 percent from the field. Efton Reid made significant contributions as well with a double-double consisting of 11 points and an impressive 13 rebounds while blocking two shots. Tre'Von Spillers also stood out by scoring eight points, securing eight rebounds, and contributing defensively with two blocks and one steal.


Despite these efforts, Wake Forest faced challenges in converting opportunities into points. The team shot at an overall rate of 41 percent from the field and managed only a 38 percent success rate from beyond the arc. Additionally, turnovers were a critical issue for Wake Forest as they gave up possession fifteen times during the game which contributed to their -13 plus-minus rating.


Cardinals' Strategic Play


On the opposing side, The Louisville Cardinals demonstrated why they are ranked number twenty-one nationally through strategic playmaking and solid defense. They capitalized on turnovers scoring seventeen points off them compared to eleven by Wake Forest. Their defensive efforts were highlighted by four blocks and five steals over the course of the game.


Louisville's balanced attack was evident in their distribution of assists; seventeen in total showed how they successfully moved the ball around to find open shots against Wake Forest’s defense which resulted in them building up their biggest lead of twenty-nine points during this encounter.


Looking ahead for The Demon Deacons is another chance for redemption as they host Pittsburgh Panthers at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum on February 1st at noon Eastern Time Zone (ET). Fans can catch this upcoming matchup live on ESPN2 as both teams vie for victory early in this season’s campaign.


We invite our readers to share this recap across social media platforms as we continue covering all facets of college basketball action throughout this exciting season.

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