CLEMSON, S.C. — No. 25 Clemson ended their two-game losing streak on Saturday with a 73-62 win over Wake Forest. The Tigers improved to 10-3 overall and 2-0 in the ACC, starting conference play strong for the second time in three years. The victory showed Clemson’s ability to bounce back after tough overtime losses to Memphis and South Carolina.
Clemson took control early, building a double-digit lead in the first half and staying ahead for the last 34 minutes of the game. Chase Hunter led the team with 16 points, including four three-pointers. Four other Tigers scored in double figures: Jake Heidbreder added 15 points, Viktor Lakhin had 13 points along with nine rebounds and six assists, Ian Schieffelin scored 13 points, and Jaeden Zackery contributed 12 points with six assists and five steals.
Wake Forest, now 9-4 overall and 1-1 in the ACC, was led by Hunter Sallis with 26 points. Cameron Hildreth added 15 points, but the rest of the team struggled, combining for just 21 points on 8-of-24 shooting.
Clemson’s turning point came with an 18-4 run midway through the first half, flipping a four-point deficit into a 15-point lead. Heidbreder sparked the run with eight points, including two three-pointers and a pair of free throws. Wake Forest made a push early in the second half, cutting Clemson’s lead to three points on a three-point play by Sallis. However, the Tigers responded with a 19-6 run, highlighted by a layup from Schieffelin and a dunk from Lakhin, to regain control.
“We showed toughness and versatility today,” Clemson head coach Brad Brownell said. “After two hard losses, it was great to see our energy and focus. Viktor’s all-around effort and Chase’s shooting made a big difference for us.”
Clemson’s defense was key to their success. The Tigers held Wake Forest to 23.1% shooting from beyond the arc (3-of-13), marking the seventh time this season they’ve kept an opponent under 30% from three-point range. Clemson also forced 19 turnovers and scored 35 points off those mistakes. On offense, they recorded 17 assists on 24 made shots while limiting themselves to just 12 turnovers. Remarkably, Clemson hasn’t had a game this season where they had more turnovers than assists.
Wake Forest’s road struggles continued as they fell to 0-3 in true road games this season, each loss by double digits. Last year, the Demon Deacons had a 2-9 record in road games. Head coach Steve Forbes acknowledged the need for improvement.
“We have to bring our best effort on the road,” Forbes said. “Hunter (Sallis) and Cameron (Hildreth) played great today, but we need more consistency from the whole team to win tough games.”
For Clemson, this win was a testament to their resilience. After close losses to Memphis and South Carolina, the Tigers showed determination and teamwork to earn a crucial conference victory. Hunter’s 12 second-half points helped seal the game and highlighted the team’s depth and balance.
Looking ahead, Wake Forest has a 10-day break before facing Syracuse on New Year’s Eve. Clemson will enjoy an 11-day hiatus before hosting Stanford on New Year’s Day.
Later in the season, the rivalry took another turn as Wake Forest defeated Clemson 81-76 in the regular-season finale. Hunter Sallis once again led the Demon Deacons with 22 points, seven rebounds, and four assists. The victory capped off Wake Forest’s season on a positive note, showing the competitive nature of their matchups with Clemson.
Clemson’s strong performance against Wake Forest sets the stage for the rest of its ACC schedule. The Tigers’ ability to regroup and focus on defense could be vital in their quest for a successful conference run and a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
