Duke Blue Devils Triumph Over Wake Forest in ACC Showdown
In a hard-fought ACC showdown, the No. 2 Duke Blue Devils edged out the Wake Forest Demon Deacons 63-56 on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem, N.C. The victory extended Duke’s winning streak to 13 games and maintained their perfect 9-0 record in conference play, while Wake Forest fell to 15-5 overall and 7-2 in the ACC.
Freshman phenom Cooper Flagg led the charge for Duke with 24 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, showcasing his versatility and composure in a hostile environment. Fellow freshman Kon Knueppel added 15 points, while Tyrese Proctor and Mason Gillis hit crucial three-pointers late in the game to seal the win. Despite a dismal shooting performance in the second half—where Duke missed its first 13 shots and went 1-for-19 through the first 12 minutes—the Blue Devils rallied with a 14-2 run to reclaim the lead and close out the game.
Wake Forest, led by Juke Harris’ 14 points, mounted a strong comeback after trailing 35-22 at halftime. The Demon Deacons took a 45-39 lead midway through the second half, fueled by a raucous home crowd eager to see an upset. However, Duke’s defense tightened, and key plays from Flagg, including a two-handed slam and a critical three-pointer, helped the Blue Devils regain control. Wake Forest struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 16.7% on three-pointers, and missed eight free throws, which proved costly in the tight contest.
Duke’s defense was a standout, holding Wake Forest to 37.3% shooting overall and limiting star players Hunter Sallis and Cameron Hildreth to a combined 16 points. The Blue Devils also dominated the boards, outrebounding Wake Forest 46-29, including a 15-4 advantage on the offensive glass.
The win marked Duke’s first victory at Wake Forest in two years, avoiding a potential court-storming scenario. The Blue Devils will look to continue their winning streak as they host N.C. State on Monday, while Wake Forest travels to face No. 25 Louisville on Tuesday.
Duke 63-56 Wake Forest (Jan 25, 2025) Game Recap - ESPN
Expert recap and game analysis of the Duke Blue Devils vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons NCAAM game from January 25, 2025 on ESPN.
www.espn.com
Duke Survives A Gutty Wake Forest, 63-56
As the Demon Deacons really gave Duke a game
www.dukebasketballreport.com
Duke vs Wake Forest Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight's College Basketball Game
Our Duke vs. Wake Forest predictions don't like the Demon Deacons' chances of scoring much.
www.covers.com
Just enough: Three takeaways as Duke basketball avoids an upset bid from Wake Forest
Freshman Cooper Flagg scored 24 points, and Tyrese Proctor and Mason Gillis hit key 3-pointers late as No. 2 Duke beat Wake Forest on the road.
www.newsobserver.com
Duke Blue Devils vs Wake Forest Demon Deacons Prediction, Odds and Picks
Duke Blue Devils vs Wake Forest Demon Deacons Preview, Prediction, Odds and Picks for their matchup in the ACC on Saturday
www.pickswise.com
Duke at Wake Forest odds, picks and predictions
Analyzing Saturday’s Duke at Wake Forest odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.
sportsbookwire.usatoday.com
5 observations from No. 2 Duke men's basketball's first half against Wake Forest
No. 2 Duke men’s basketball takes on Wake Forest in Winston-Salem, looking for its 13th straight win. After 20 minutes of play, the Blue Devils hold a
www.dukechronicle.com
How to watch Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs. Duke Blue Devils: TV channel, NCAA Basketball live stream info, start time
How to watch Wake Forest vs. Duke basketball game
www.cbssports.com