WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — In an intense matchup on Tuesday night, Wake Forest edged out North Carolina with a 67-66 victory, fueled by standout performances from Cameron Hildreth and Hunter Sallis. Hildreth led the scoring for Wake Forest, contributing 20 points, while Sallis added 14 points along with nine rebounds in a strong overall performance.

Tre’Von Spillers and Efton Reid III also made significant impacts in the second half, each scoring 12 points. Spillers particularly shone on the boards, securing nine rebounds, including four on the offensive end, and recording four blocks. His back-to-back baskets ignited a crucial 12-2 run for the Demon Deacons, capped off by a three-point play that put them ahead 65-56 with just over a minute to go.

On the other side, RJ Davis led the Tar Heels with 21 points, while Elliot Cadeau contributed 14 points and a career-high 13 assists. Davis showcased his shooting skills, hitting three three-pointers, which extended his school record to 315 and moved him ahead of former Duke star Jason Williams in the ACC record books.

Wake Forest, now 15-4 overall and 7-1 in the conference, has not lost since a December 21 defeat against Clemson, marking their longest winning streak in ACC play since the 2004-05 season. This impressive start also signifies their best opening to conference play since the 1996-97 season, when Hall of Fame player Tim Duncan led the team to nine wins in their first ten conference games.

A pivotal moment in the game came when Wake Forest surged ahead with a 12-0 run that established a 49-39 lead after Sallis nailed a jumper with 9:36 remaining. However, North Carolina responded strongly, scoring 15 out of the subsequent 19 points, including three-pointers from Davis, Cadeau, and Jae’Lyn Withers, swinging the momentum in their favor to take a one-point lead with just over five minutes left.

The matchup also marked the fourth consecutive loss for the Tar Heels at Wake Forest, showcasing the home court’s challenging atmosphere for visiting teams. Looking forward, Wake Forest is set to host the second-ranked Duke on Saturday, while North Carolina prepares to welcome Boston College to their home court.