CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Cameron Hildreth delivered an impressive performance with 31 points, while Hunter Sallis contributed 22 points, helping Wake Forest overcome Miami with a score of 88-78 on Saturday.

The Demon Deacons maintained a comfortable double-digit advantage for the majority of the second half. However, Miami made a push when Matthew Cleveland executed a three-point play, narrowing the score to 75-68 with approximately four minutes left on the clock. In response, Sallis hit a jumper during Wake Forest’s next possession, followed by two successful free throws in their subsequent trip down the court.

Sallis capped an impressive stretch by scoring in the paint for an 84-73 lead with just 1:31 remaining, marking a span where he accounted for all 11 of Wake Forest’s points within 3.5 minutes.

Hildreth achieved his season best shooting 11-for-16, including 6-for-8 from beyond the arc. Sallis, who has now recorded five consecutive games with at least 20 points, made 8 of 15 shots in the contest. Tre’Von Spillers contributed 17 points, while Efton Reid supported with 10 for the Demon Deacons (12-4, 4-1 in the ACC), whose starting lineup was responsible for an impressive 85 points.

Cleveland was the standout for Miami (4-12, 0-5), finishing with 22 points. Jalil Bethea added 13 points, and Austin Swartz scored 12. The bench also made significant contributions with Paul Djobet and A.J. Staton-McCray scoring 11 and 10 points, respectively.

The first half saw eight lead changes, the final one occurring when Hildreth sank a 3-pointer for a 26-24 advantage with seven minutes left. He later concluded the half with five consecutive points, bringing Wake Forest to a 39-31 lead at halftime after hitting 4 of 5 from three-point range and scoring 16 points in total during that period.

This victory marked Wake Forest’s third win in 14 games played at Miami’s Watsco Center, their first victory there since January 2007.

Meanwhile, Miami is currently on a five-game losing streak and is set to face No. 4 Duke on Tuesday.

Wake Forest, now enjoying a three-game winning streak, will host Stanford on Wednesday.