Syracuse, NY — In a competitive matchup on Tuesday night, Wake Forest triumphed over Syracuse with a score of 81-71, showcasing solid performances from key players. Hunter Sallis led the way with 23 points, while Tre’Von Spillers contributed a double-double, tallying 11 points and 10 rebounds.

The game kicked off with Wake Forest establishing an early lead, starting the first quarter with a dominant 17-2 run. However, Syracuse managed to cut the deficit as the first half came to a close, trailing slightly at 36-34. The Orange came out strong in the second half, surging ahead with an 11-3 run that momentarily gave them a six-point advantage.

Despite Syracuse’s brief lead, Wake Forest regained control of the game when they hit five three-pointers in a little over four minutes, moving ahead 58-52 with just under 10 minutes left in the match. The Demon Deacons created further distance, leading 68-60 after Sallis executed a remarkable no-look pass, allowing Cameron Hildreth to finish with a layup on a fast break.

Hildreth was instrumental in the success of Wake Forest, capping his performance with a clutch step-back three-pointer, extending the lead to 71-65 with just over three minutes remaining. The team then secured their victory by sinking 10 consecutive free throws within the final 1:39 of the game.

This win marked a significant achievement for Wake Forest, being their first victory at the JMA Wireless Dome after six previous attempts. In addition to Sallis and Spillers, Hildreth added 14 points while Ty-Laur Johnson and Juke Harris chipped in with 11 and 10 points, respectively.

From the Syracuse side, Jaquan Carlos and Lucas Taylor were the standout scorers with 16 points each. Kyle Cuffe Jr. contributed 14 points, while Eddie Lampkin Jr. was a noticeable presence, recording 10 rebounds along with eight points.

Looking ahead, Wake Forest is set to host NC State on Saturday, while Syracuse will travel to face Florida State on the same day.