Duke Men’s Basketball Falls Short in Tight Match Against Wake Forest

Duke University’s men’s basketball team faced a tough battle against Wake Forest in a highly anticipated rematch at the Joel Coliseum. The game, which featured 14 lead changes and 14 ties, ended with the eighth-ranked Blue Devils falling short against the Demon Deacons with a score of 83-79.

Hunter Sallis, a standout player from Gonzaga, was instrumental in Wake Forest’s victory, delivering an impressive performance by scoring 29 points, including five 3-pointers. The Demon Deacons’ strong offensive display, shooting at an impressive 60% throughout the game, proved challenging for the Blue Devils.

Despite Duke’s recent winning streak, which saw them allow an average of 61.8 points per game and hold teams to 38.7% shooting, they struggled to contain Wake Forest’s offense in this matchup. The Demon Deacons capitalized on their opportunities, making 69.6% of their shots in the second half.

Mark Mitchell, a key player for Duke, was unable to replicate his previous scoring success in this game. After a stellar performance in the previous matchup against Wake Forest, where he scored 23 points, Mitchell only managed six points on 2-of-5 shooting in the rematch.

As the Blue Devils look to bounce back from this defeat, the focus now shifts to their upcoming games in the ACC. For more sports updates and analysis, follow staff writer Rodd Baxley at @RoddBaxley on X/Twitter.