In an impressive display of skill and teamwork, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons secured an 81-65 victory against the Virginia Cavaliers on February 26, 2025. This win improved Wake Forest’s record to 19-8 overall and 11-5 in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), while Virginia fell to 13-14 and 6-10 in the conference. The Deacons were led by star player Tyree Appleby, who scored 29 points, making 11 of 18 from the field, including hitting five three-pointers.
The first half saw Wake Forest jump to an early lead, quickly establishing an 18-point advantage behind sharp shooting and strong defensive plays. Virginia struggled to find their rhythm, trailing 45-27 by halftime. However, the second half brought a more assertive Cavaliers team, beginning with a series of successful three-pointers from Isaac McKneely, who ended the game with 18 points. Despite their efforts to claw back into the contest, Wake Forest maintained their composure and tactical execution to seal the win.
Post-game, Wake Forest head coach Steve Forbes expressed pride in his team’s performance, stating, “I’m just really proud of the way our guys executed the game plan. We’ve been preaching all year about playing together, and I think you saw that tonight.” Virginia head coach Tony Bennett acknowledged the challenges faced by his team, saying, “We have to improve in all aspects. It’s frustrating, but we’ll keep working hard.”
With this victory, Wake Forest continues to solidify their position in the ACC standings as they anticipate an upcoming matchup that could have critical implications for postseason play.
