Demon Deacons Defeat Fighting Irish in ACC Tourney Thriller

In a clash of basketball titans at the ACC Tournament in Washington, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons emerged victorious over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish with a hard-fought 72-59 victory. This second-round matchup was a testament to the sheer grit and determination of both teams, as they battled fiercely on the court.

Leading the charge for the Demon Deacons was the dynamic duo of Kevin Miller and Hunter Sallis, who poured in 17 and 14 points, respectively. Miller’s offensive prowess was matched by the relentless rebounding of Andrew Carr, who recorded a double-double with 12 points and 11 boards, along with an impressive three blocks.

The Demon Deacons’ dominance was evident in various facets of the game. They outscored the Fighting Irish 15-7 in points off turnovers, 16-7 in second-chance points, and a staggering 38-14 in the paint. Their shooting prowess was on full display, as they shot an impressive 46% from the field, leaving the Notre Dame defense scrambling.

While the Demon Deacons shone brightly, the Fighting Irish put up a valiant fight. ACC Rookie of the Year Markus Burton led the charge with 21 points, albeit on an inefficient 4-of-16 shooting night. Tae Davis chipped in with 16 points, while Carey Booth added 11 to the cause.

The game was a tale of two halves, with Wake Forest asserting their dominance early on. Sallis wasted no time, draining a three-pointer to open the scoring, and the Demon Deacons never relinquished their lead. They surged to a 14-point advantage before the Fighting Irish clawed their way back, trimming the deficit to 40-34 at halftime.

In the second half, the Demon Deacons’ defensive intensity rose to new heights, stifling the Fighting Irish’s offense. Notre Dame managed to shoot a paltry 20% from the field in the final 20 minutes, as Wake Forest’s smothering defense refused to relent.

Cameron Hildreth’s contributions off the bench proved pivotal, as he scored eight of his 10 points in the second half, including a momentum-shifting three-point play and a timely three-pointer. The Demon Deacons embarked on a 13-4 run midway through the half, stretching their lead to 16 points and leaving the Fighting Irish gasping for air.

Despite the valiant efforts of Notre Dame, the deficit proved too much to overcome. Wake Forest’s defensive intensity, coupled with their offensive firepower, propelled them to a convincing 72-59 victory, securing their spot in the quarterfinals against fourth-seeded Pitt.

As the madness of March continues to unfold, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons have sent a resounding message to their ACC counterparts – they are a force to be reckoned with. With their sights set on a deep tournament run, the Demon Deacons will look to carry this momentum forward and etch their names in ACC Tournament lore.