Amber Aniston • December 31, 2024

Wake Forest Secures Historic 81-71 Victory Over Syracuse at the JMA Wireless Dome

The Wake Forest Demon Deacons claimed their first-ever win at the JMA Wireless Dome with an 81-71 victory over the Syracuse Orange on Tuesday afternoon. The triumph improved Wake Forest to 10-4 overall and 2-1 in ACC play, while Syracuse dropped to 6-7 and 0-2 in the conference. Hunter Sallis led the charge for the Demon Deacons with a season-high 23 points, while Tre’Von Spillers recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.


Wake Forest’s Fast Start

The game opened with Wake Forest setting an aggressive tone, racing to a 17-2 lead within the first six minutes. Sallis was instrumental during the run, scoring nine of the team’s points and showcasing his ability to attack the basket. Wake Forest’s defense forced Syracuse into early turnovers and contested shots, disrupting the Orange’s rhythm.


However, Syracuse clawed their way back into the game with a 17-8 run, cutting the deficit to just three points late in the first half. Kyle Cuffe Jr. and Jaquan Carlos combined for key baskets to spark the rally. By halftime, Wake Forest’s lead had been trimmed to 36-34, setting the stage for a competitive second half.


Second-Half Resilience

Syracuse opened the second half with momentum, going on an 11-3 run to take a six-point lead. Freshman forward Donnie Freeman’s layup gave the Orange their largest advantage of the game, but Wake Forest quickly responded with an impressive display of perimeter shooting.


The Demon Deacons sank five three-pointers in a four-minute span, regaining the lead at 58-52. Sallis continued to shine, delivering a no-look pass to Cameron Hildreth for a fast-break layup that energized the Wake Forest bench. Hildreth followed with a step-back three-pointer, extending the lead to 71-65 with just over three minutes remaining.


Wake Forest sealed the game at the free-throw line, making 10 consecutive attempts in the final 1:39. The team’s poise and efficiency under pressure highlighted their growth and maturity as a group.


Key Performances

Hunter Sallis was the standout performer, finishing with 23 points on 8-of-14 shooting, including two three-pointers. His ability to drive to the basket and create opportunities for his teammates was pivotal in Wake Forest’s victory.


Tre’Von Spillers complemented Sallis with a dominant presence in the paint, recording 11 points and 10 rebounds. His defensive efforts, particularly in securing crucial boards, limited Syracuse’s second-chance opportunities.


Cameron Hildreth added 14 points, including several key baskets in the second half, while Ty-Laur Johnson and Juke Harris contributed 11 and 10 points, respectively.


For Syracuse, Jaquan Carlos and Lucas Taylor each scored 16 points, with Taylor hitting three three-pointers to keep the Orange competitive. Kyle Cuffe Jr. added a career-high 14 points, while Eddie Lampkin Jr. pulled down 10 rebounds to go along with eight points.


Bench Contributions and Key Stats

Syracuse’s bench outperformed Wake Forest’s in the first half, scoring 25 of the team’s 34 points, while holding the Demon Deacons’ reserves scoreless during that stretch. However, Wake Forest’s starters carried the load in the second half, outscoring Syracuse 45-37 after the break.


The Demon Deacons shot 50% from beyond the arc in the second half, compared to Syracuse’s 10%, a disparity that proved decisive. Wake Forest also converted 16-of-19 free-throw attempts, showcasing their efficiency in high-pressure situations.


Historical Context

The victory marked Wake Forest’s first win in seven visits to the JMA Wireless Dome, a historic milestone for the program. The Demon Deacons had struggled in Syracuse’s home court since the Orange joined the ACC, but Tuesday’s performance demonstrated their ability to overcome past challenges.


Looking Ahead

Wake Forest returns to action on Saturday as they host NC State in a crucial ACC matchup. With Sallis and Spillers in top form, the Demon Deacons aim to build on their momentum and strengthen their standing in the conference.


Syracuse, meanwhile, travels to Florida State for a Saturday showdown. The Orange will need to address their defensive lapses and improve their shooting consistency as they seek their first ACC win of the season.


A Statement Win

Wake Forest’s 81-71 victory over Syracuse not only ended a seven-game losing streak at the JMA Wireless Dome but also highlighted the team’s growth under head coach Steve Forbes. With balanced scoring and clutch performances, the Demon Deacons are emerging as a formidable contender in the ACC.



For Syracuse, the game underscored the challenges of competing in a highly competitive conference. Despite strong individual performances, the team’s inability to sustain momentum in key moments proved costly. As both programs look ahead, the lessons from this game will undoubtedly shape their paths in the ACC race.

By Angelie Te July 31, 2026
Why Sports Video Production Matters in the World of 2026 Sports video production in 2026 covers far more than pressing record and capturing the final score. It spans live game broadcasts, tournament streaming, vertical social clips, recruiting reels, and sponsor activation content for schools, teams, leagues, and athletics organizations at every level. The job of a modern sports producer is to build year-round storylines, ensure sponsor visibility across every screen, and produce scout-ready assets that athletes and families can use for years. Consider the scale: global sports rights spending exceeded $67 billion in 2026 , and LiveU deployed 1,700 units for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to connect venues across North America. This industry momentum reaches every stage of competition, from youth travel tournaments to college showcases. Sports video production is considered challenging due to unpredictable action and lack of second takes-which is exactly why professional planning matters. The real goal of sports video production isn't just documenting what happened. It's creating content that works long after the final whistle.  East Coast Sports Live helps programs of all sizes compete with pro-level production quality without needing an in-house broadcast team. This article walks you through planning, filming, packaging, and distributing sports content designed to satisfy athletes, fans, and sponsors.
Tony Romo wearing a broadcast headset during a CBS Sports football game broadcast.
By Amber Aniston July 31, 2026
CBS placed Tony Romo on leave following his Wisconsin arrest, elevating J.J. Watt to its lead NFL broadcast team as the season approaches.
Harrison Bader in Yankees uniform during a game with a focused expression in a stadium.
By Amber Aniston July 31, 2026
Harrison Bader's season-ending scooter crash has raised questions about MLB contract rules, high-risk activities, and what comes next for the Giants outfielder.
By Amber Aniston July 31, 2026
Todd Bowles is keeping the Buccaneers focused on football despite Baker Mayfield's contract dispute and Vita Vea's trade request entering training camp.
FOOTBALL
By Amber Aniston July 31, 2026
FIFA's World Cup investment proposal has sparked opposition from major football confederations, with governance and transparency emerging as the central issues.
football player
By Amber Aniston July 30, 2026
Build a stronger 2026 fantasy football roster by understanding why drafting running backs early can create flexibility and long-term value in half-PPR leagues.
By Amber Aniston July 30, 2026
One of the most significant pieces of legislation in the history of college athletics is facing an uncertain future. The proposed Protect College Sports Act (PCSA) was designed to create a nationwide framework for regulating name, image and likeness (NIL), transfer rules, revenue sharing, and athlete eligibility. However, with the Big Ten and SEC withholding their formal support, lawmakers are running out of time to move the bipartisan bill through Congress before the Senate's August recess. The legislation has been viewed by many athletic directors and conference commissioners as the best opportunity to restore stability to an increasingly fragmented college sports landscape. But ongoing disagreements over several key provisions have placed its future in jeopardy. Why the Protect College Sports Act Matters College athletics has undergone dramatic changes over the past several years. NIL compensation, the transfer portal, athlete revenue sharing, and repeated court rulings have fundamentally altered how schools recruit, retain, and compensate student-athletes. The Protect College Sports Act was introduced to establish consistent national standards rather than leaving schools to navigate a patchwork of state laws and ongoing legal challenges. Among its major goals are: Creating uniform NIL regulations nationwide Standardizing transfer portal rules Establishing revenue-sharing guidelines Providing five years of athlete eligibility Giving conferences greater authority to enforce regulations Offering additional legal protections related to antitrust challenges Supporters believe the legislation could bring much-needed structure to college athletics after years of uncertainty. Why the Big Ten and SEC Have Not Signed Off Despite generally supporting federal legislation, the two most powerful conferences remain unwilling to endorse the current version of the bill. Conference leaders say several important issues remain unresolved, particularly language involving so-called "associated entities." These include corporate sponsors, multimedia rights partners, and outside organizations that could potentially direct additional compensation to athletes outside the proposed revenue-sharing cap. Big Ten and SEC officials argue that unless those loopholes are addressed, schools could effectively bypass spending limits, undermining the legislation's purpose.  Ohio State Athletic Director Ross Bjork summarized the conferences' position simply: "We need a ceiling." Revenue-Sharing Cap Remains the Biggest Obstacle Much of the debate centers on how athlete compensation would be limited. Current negotiations include a structure featuring: $21.3 million base revenue-sharing cap Approximately $20–22.5 million additional retention pool Up to $5 million designated for women's athletics Conference leaders support increasing athlete compensation but insist those figures must be paired with a truly enforceable hard cap. Without stronger safeguards, administrators worry schools could continue funneling money through outside partnerships while technically remaining under the cap. Time Is Becoming the Biggest Challenge Even if negotiators reach an agreement, Congress faces a rapidly approaching deadline. The Senate is scheduled to begin its month-long recess on August 7 , leaving only a narrow window for lawmakers to advance the legislation. Senate staff members have publicly acknowledged that every passing day reduces the likelihood of securing a floor vote before lawmakers leave Washington. Conference representatives and congressional staff have continued negotiating revised language, but formal approval from the Big Ten and SEC has yet to arrive. Lawmakers Say Major Concessions Have Already Been Made Congressional leaders argue they have significantly revised the proposal in response to conference concerns. According to reports included in the source material, lawmakers agreed to numerous requested changes, including: Stronger recruiting and tampering provisions Modified revenue-sharing language Changes involving conference governance Adjustments affecting NIL oversight Additional flexibility regarding institutional NIL agreements Despite those revisions, conference officials maintain they still need to review final legal language before committing their support. Conference Leaders Say They Need More Certainty Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti has repeatedly emphasized that conference officials cannot endorse language they have not fully reviewed. Rather than rejecting the legislation outright, Petitti has described the negotiations as an effort to ensure the final bill accomplishes its intended purpose. Conference officials also continue seeking broader antitrust protections and greater certainty regarding how future enforcement would work under the proposed law. SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey has similarly stated in recent weeks that congressional legislation remains the preferred outcome but acknowledged the conference has discussed alternative governance models if federal action ultimately fails. Alternative Plans Already Being Discussed If Congress cannot pass the Protect College Sports Act, college athletics may move toward alternative solutions. Among the possibilities currently under discussion are: Plan B Revising the current College Sports Commission structure Negotiating updated revenue-sharing rules among the Power Four conferences Creating stronger conference-led enforcement mechanisms Plan C A self-governance model led by the major conferences Independent enforcement of recruiting, NIL, and compensation rules Greater conference autonomy outside the existing NCAA structure Neither option is considered ideal by conference leaders, who continue describing federal legislation as the preferred long-term solution. Industry Remains Divided Not every stakeholder agrees with the conferences' position. Executives representing multimedia rights companies argue that legitimate endorsement agreements should not automatically count against athlete compensation limits. Others believe an overly restrictive cap could unintentionally reduce genuine commercial opportunities for student-athletes who have built valuable personal brands. That disagreement highlights the broader challenge facing lawmakers: balancing competitive fairness with athletes' growing opportunities to profit from their name, image, and likeness. What's Next? Negotiations between congressional leaders, the White House, and conference representatives remain ongoing. According to the latest reports, lawmakers submitted what has been described as a "best and final" revised version of the legislation to the Big Ten and SEC while asking both conferences to make their decision quickly. Whether that will be enough to secure their support remains unclear. For now, the Protect College Sports Act remains alive—but time is quickly becoming its biggest opponent. If an agreement cannot be reached before Congress begins its August recess, the effort to establish national standards for college athletics could be delayed for months, leaving schools, athletes, conferences, and fans to continue navigating one of the most uncertain periods in the history of collegiate sports.
By Angelie Te July 30, 2026
This article is a practical guide to sports sponsorship activation for brands, schools, athletic programs, and event organizers working around live sports coverage. Whether you run a booster club, manage athletic marketing for a district, or represent a company looking at sponsorship opportunities, the strategies here focus on live and streamed sports events rather than generic sponsorship theory. Target readers: brand marketers, athletic directors, booster clubs, school communications teams, and event organizers planning sponsor integration around streamed or televised games.
More Posts