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Wake Forest Demon Deacons Edge Out Virginia Tech Hokies with Late Surge

The Wake Forest Demon Deacons improved their record to 10-4 after a narrow victory over the Virginia Tech Hokies, who now stand at 9-5. The game concluded with a score of 81-78 in favor of the Deacons.


Jan 3, 2026; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons forward Marqus Marion (11) drives to the basket against Virginia Tech Hokies forward Sin'Cere Jones (5) during the first half at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

First Half


The first half saw both teams exchanging leads, but it was Wake who managed to pull ahead slightly by halftime. Nate Calmese led the charge for the Deacons with his impressive shooting accuracy, contributing significantly to their 36 points in this period. Meanwhile, Juke Harris provided support on both ends of the court, adding crucial rebounds and assists.


Second Half


In the second half, Virginia Tech came out strong and managed to close the gap quickly. Their offensive efforts were spearheaded by efficient field goal shooting and strategic ball movement that resulted in numerous assists. However, despite their best efforts and scoring 46 points in this half alone, they couldn't overcome Wake's resilience.


Jan 3, 2026; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA;  Wake Forest Demon Deacons forward Tre'Von Spillers (25) goes up for a slam dunk defended by Virginia Tech Hokies guard Neoklis Avdalas (17) during the first half at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Game-Changing Plays


One of the game-changing plays for Wake was Cooper Schwieger's pivotal defensive rebound late in the game which prevented Tech from taking a potential lead. Additionally, Sebastian Akins' quick steals disrupted several Hokie possessions during critical moments.


Final Moments


As time wound down, it was Tre'Von Spillers who sealed the deal for Wake with clutch free throws that extended their lead just enough to withstand any last-minute attempts by Tech. The team's ability to capitalize on fast breaks also played a significant role throughout this tightly contested matchup.


Jan 3, 2026; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA;  Wake Forest Demon Deacons guard Myles Colvin (6) with a slam dunk defended by Virginia Tech Hokies guard Neoklis Avdalas (17) during the first half at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

For fans eager for more action from these teams: mark your calendars! The next challenge awaits as Wake Forest Demon Deacons face Miami (FL) Hurricanes at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum on January 7th at 7:00 PM EST; catch all live coverage on ESPNU!


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