Wake Forest Defeats Miami 88-78 Behind Cameron Hildreth’s Career Night

Cameron Hildreth delivered a season-best performance with 31 points, while Hunter Sallis scored 22 — including a crucial stretch in the second half — to lead Wake Forest to an 88-78 victory over Miami on Saturday at the Watsco Center.

The Demon Deacons (12-4, 4-1 ACC) controlled much of the game, building a double-digit lead for most of the second half. Miami (4-12, 0-5 ACC), however, made a late push when Matthew Cleveland’s three-point play narrowed the deficit to 75-68 with about four minutes left.

That’s when Sallis took over. On the ensuing possession, he hit a jumper, followed by two free throws on the next trip down the floor. He then capped a dominant 3 ½-minute stretch by finishing in the paint to extend Wake Forest’s lead to 84-73 with 1:31 remaining. During that span, Sallis scored all 11 of Wake Forest’s points, ultimately sealing the win.

Hildreth’s career-high 31 points came on an efficient 11-for-16 shooting, including a scorching 6 of 8 from beyond the arc. He was unstoppable in the first half, scoring 16 points, including a key five-point burst in the final minute that gave Wake Forest a 39-31 halftime lead.

“Cameron was phenomenal tonight,” said Wake Forest head coach Steve Forbes. “He hit big shots when we needed them, and Hunter’s ability to take over late was critical in securing this win.”

Sallis, who recorded his fifth consecutive 20-point game, finished 8-for-15 from the field. Tre’Von Spillers added 17 points, and Efton Reid chipped in 10 as Wake Forest’s starting lineup accounted for 85 of the team’s 88 points.

Miami, struggling through a five-game losing streak, was led by Matthew Cleveland’s 22 points. Jalil Bethea added 13, Austin Swartz scored 12, and reserve guards Paul Djobet and A.J. Staton-McCray combined for 21 points off the bench.

The first half featured eight lead changes before Hildreth’s three-pointer put Wake Forest ahead 26-24 with seven minutes remaining. Hildreth closed the half with a flurry, hitting a three-pointer and a layup to stretch the Demon Deacons’ lead to eight at the break.

Wake Forest dominated the second half with precise shooting and timely defense, earning just their third win in 14 games at the Watsco Center — and their first since January 2007.

The Demon Deacons, now riding a three-game winning streak, will return home to host Stanford on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Miami faces a tough challenge as they travel to play No. 4 Duke on Tuesday, hoping to snap their losing skid.

“This is a resilient group,” Forbes said of his team. “We’re hitting our stride, but we know there’s still work to be done.”

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