In Winston-Salem, N.C., on a lively Wednesday night, Isaac McKneely delivered an impressive performance by scoring 27 points, leading Virginia to a victory over Wake Forest with a final score of 83-75. McKneely was efficient from the field, making 10 out of 14 shots, including 4 out of 7 from beyond the arc. His efforts played a critical role in preventing Wake Forest’s continuous efforts to stage a comeback.
Supporting McKneely, Dai Dai Ames contributed 14 points, while Andrew Rohde added 13 points and Jacob Cofie, coming off the bench, chipped in with 12 for the Cavaliers. Overall, Virginia displayed sharpshooting prowess by converting 55.8% of their shots, going 29-for-52. This victory also marked the highest scoring game for Virginia this season.
On the opposing side, Hunter Sallis led Wake Forest, tallying 25 points. He was complemented by Cameron Hildreth, who scored 22 points, and Efton Reid III, who added 12 points coupled with 10 rebounds.
Virginia initially edged ahead with a 31-26 lead, and a timely jump shot by Rohde, with just over three minutes to go before halftime, ignited a 13-7 run that allowed the Cavaliers to enter the half leading 44-33.
The Demon Deacons attempted to rally post-halftime, cutting Virginia’s lead to 55-50 after Hildreth’s jumper with 12:05 left on the clock. However, Virginia responded with a 10-4 surge, regaining a comfortable double-digit lead at 65-54.
Despite a spirited comeback attempt by Wake Forest, initiated by Sallis with a sequence of plays that included a three-point play followed by successful free throws, bringing them within 66-64, they ultimately could not sustain the momentum. Virginia promptly executed a decisive 13-4 run over four-and-a-half minutes, securing their triumph.
Looking ahead, Virginia is set to host 13th-ranked Clemson on Saturday, while Wake Forest prepares to host Notre Dame the same day.
