Recap
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Did Wake Forest Demon Deacons Outmaneuver Stanford Cardinal in a Tactical Showdown?

In a tightly contested matchup at the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons emerged victorious over the Stanford Cardinal with a scoreline of 68-63. This win brings Wake's record to 1-0, while Stanford falls to 0-1.


Feb 14, 2026; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; Stanford Cardinal forward Oskar Giltay (15) handles the ball against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons  during the first half at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

First Half


The first half saw both teams battling for dominance. The Trees took an early lead, scoring 39 points compared to the Deacons' 30. Despite trailing, Wake showed resilience with Juke Harris leading their charge by contributing significantly in points and rebounds. His performance was crucial as he managed to keep his team within striking distance.


Second Half


The second half witnessed a shift in momentum as the Deacons tightened their defense and improved their offensive execution. They scored an impressive 38 points while holding Stanford to just 24. Mekhi Mason played a pivotal role during this period, showcasing his shooting prowess and helping his team overturn the deficit.


Feb 14, 2026; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons guard Isaac Carr (7) takes a jump shot guarded by Stanford Cardinal guard Jeremy Dent-Smith (25) during the first half at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Wake's ability to draw fouls proved decisive as they capitalized on free throws with an impressive accuracy of 88 percent from the line. Meanwhile, Cooper Schwieger's defensive contributions were notable with key blocks that thwarted several Cardinal attempts.


Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs Stanford Cardinal Key Moments


One of the key moments came when Omaha Biliew made crucial plays that shifted momentum towards Wake during critical junctures of play. His efforts were instrumental in securing second-chance opportunities which contributed significantly to their final tally.


Feb 14, 2026; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons guard Isaac Carr (7) passes the ball while being defended by Stanford Cardinal guard Jeremy Dent-Smith (25) during the second half at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Stanford struggled against Wake’s defensive adjustments and failed to maintain their initial lead despite having more steals and fast-break points than their opponents.


Wake Forest Demon Deacons Coach Post-game Reaction


Afterward, there was no shortage of praise from Coach for his team's determination and adaptability throughout this challenging encounter against a formidable opponent like Stanford.


As fans digest these thrilling developments from this game, they can look forward to supporting their team once again when they face off against Clemson Tigers on February 18th at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum at 7:00 PM EST—broadcast live on ACC Network!


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