Amber Aniston • December 8, 2024

Wake Forest Holds Off Boston College 72-66 in Competitive Matchup

The Wake Forest Demon Deacons overcame a resilient Boston College Eagles team to secure a 72-66 victory on Saturday afternoon at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Cameron Hildreth led the way with 22 points and 10 rebounds, marking his first double-double of the season, while Efton Reid III and Juke Harris contributed pivotal moments to help Wake Forest improve to 8-3 overall.


The tightly contested game saw several momentum shifts, with both teams displaying moments of brilliance. However, Wake Forest’s ability to capitalize on free-throw opportunities and control the defensive boards proved decisive.


Boston College’s Fast Start

Boston College opened the game with a hot hand, connecting on their first three three-point attempts to jump out to a 15-5 lead. Elijah Strong, who led the Eagles with 18 points, was instrumental in the early offensive surge. The Eagles’ ball movement and shooting accuracy forced an early timeout from Wake Forest head coach Steve Forbes.


Wake Forest responded with a 9-0 run, fueled by a hook shot from Tre’Von Spillers and a three-pointer from Juke Harris, to close the gap to one. The game settled into a back-and-forth rhythm for the remainder of the half, with four lead changes and three ties. Boston College’s Chad Venning hit a key layup late in the period, but the Deacons ended the half with a 9-3 push to take a 38-35 lead into halftime.


Wake Forest’s Second-Half Surge

The second half began with the Eagles reclaiming the lead behind back-to-back three-pointers. However, Wake Forest responded with an 11-0 run, highlighted by Harris’ third three-pointer of the game and a fast-break dunk by Spillers off a pass from Ty-Laur Johnson. The run gave Wake Forest its largest lead of the game at 49-41 with 14:37 remaining.


Boston College continued to battle, with Fred Payne tying the game at 55-55 after converting three free throws with just under 10 minutes to play. But the Deacons regained control, as Hildreth hit consecutive free throws and Friedrichsen nailed a clutch three-pointer to extend the lead to six.


Clutch Free-Throw Shooting Secures the Win

In the final minutes, Wake Forest leaned heavily on their free-throw shooting to fend off Boston College’s late surge. Hildreth, who finished 14-of-18 from the line, hit six free throws in the last three minutes to maintain the Deacons’ lead. Reid and Spillers added crucial rebounds and defensive stops to seal the victory.


Boston College had opportunities to tie or take the lead in the closing seconds, but Payne missed the front end of a 1-and-1, and Strong’s contested three-pointer was off the mark. Wake Forest converted their final free throws to secure the six-point win.


Key Performances and Statistics

Hildreth’s 22 points and 10 rebounds were complemented by Juke Harris’ 12 points off the bench, including three critical three-pointers. Spillers and Reid each added 11 points, with Spillers contributing nine rebounds and a key defensive presence.


The Deacons finished the game shooting 44.7% from the field and an impressive 25-of-34 from the free-throw line. Boston College, despite connecting on 12-of-30 three-point attempts, shot just 36.8% overall and struggled to generate consistent offense inside the arc.


Strong led the Eagles with 18 points, including four three-pointers, while Donald Hand Jr. contributed 13 points and eight rebounds. Payne added 12 points off the bench but missed critical free throws in the game’s final moments.


Looking Ahead

Wake Forest will enjoy a 10-day break before hosting James Madison in their final non-conference game on December 17. The Demon Deacons will aim to build on this victory as they prepare for the heart of their schedule.


Boston College, now 6-4 overall, will return to Chestnut Hill to host Stonehill on December 15. The Eagles will look to address their late-game execution and improve their inside scoring as they seek to rebound from this tough loss.


A Gritty Matchup

Wake Forest’s 72-66 victory over Boston College highlighted their ability to perform under pressure and capitalize on opportunities. With strong performances from Hildreth and their supporting cast, the Demon Deacons secured a hard-fought win. For Boston College, the game showcased their potential but also underscored the areas they must refine to succeed. Both teams leave this contest with valuable takeaways as they continue their seasons.

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