Wake Forest Dominates ETSU 89-70 in High-Scoring Exhibition
UPDATE: In a thrilling exhibition matchup, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons surged past East Tennessee State University (ETSU) with a decisive score of 89-70 at the Freedom Hall Civic Center on November 1, 2023. This high-energy game not only showcased skillful basketball but also supported charitable initiatives, benefiting the Uncommon Grit and Finnegan’s Challenge charities.
The contest drew an enthusiastic crowd of 3,156 attendees, providing ETSU with a valuable opportunity to test their mettle against an Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) team. Wake Forest’s Mehki Mason led the charge with an impressive 24 points, demonstrating his scoring prowess. Close behind, Myles Colvin and Juke Harris each contributed 15 points, while Nate Calmese dazzled with 12 assists.
For ETSU, standout player Jaylen Smith, a highly anticipated transfer from North Florida, delivered an electrifying performance, finishing with 21 points and hitting six shots from beyond the arc. Blake Barkley also made his mark, scoring 15 points and grabbing 7 rebounds, while Cam Morris III showcased versatility with a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds.
The game featured dramatic momentum swings. ETSU struggled initially, hitting only 1-of-16 shots in the first half as Wake Forest extended a slim lead to 15 points. However, the Bucs rallied with a quick 10-point run, narrowing the score to 29-24 before halftime. Brian Taylor II capped the half with a powerful dunk, leaving ETSU trailing 36-30.
Wake Forest seized control early in the second half, scoring the first eight points and maintaining a double-digit lead for the remainder of the game. Despite ETSU’s efforts to cut the deficit to 10 points on two occasions, Wake’s Juke Harris and Tre’Von Spillers delivered back-to-back dunks to solidify their advantage. Mason’s three-pointer at the 3:32 mark pushed Wake’s lead to 20 points, effectively sealing the victory.
The Demon Deacons dominated with an impressive field goal percentage of 49 percent, hitting 33-of-67 shots, while ETSU struggled at 36 percent, going 21-of-59. Wake Forest also controlled the paint with a 34-24 advantage and won the rebounding battle 44-34.
As the exhibition season wraps up, ETSU looks ahead to their official season opener against Converse, scheduled for Tuesday at 7 p.m.. Fans will be eager to see how the Bucs build on this experience against formidable competition.
Stay tuned for more updates as the college basketball season heats up!
