Wake Forest University
Houston
Wake Forest Falls Short to Houston, 78-73
11/19/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By Wake Forest Athletic Communications (@WakeMBB)
LYNCHBURG, Va. - Wake Forest fell to Houston, 78-73, on the final day of competition at the Paradise Jam Sunday afternoon. The Demon Deacons finished sixth in the tournament, which was held at the Vines Center on the campus of Liberty University.
Bryant Crawford recorded a team-high 17 points, his 30th consecutive double figure game. Crawford finished the afternoon with three 3-pointers, which moved him into 14th all-time in career 3-pointers at 119. He is just two triples behind Travis McKie, who recorded 121 3-pointers from 2011-2014.
Keyshawn Woods posted 15 points while Mitchell Wilbekin also finished with a season-high 15 points. Brandon Childress recorded 14 points, a season high and just two points shy of matching his career best.
After trading baskets in the opening minutes, Wake Forest (1-4) capitalized on a Houston (3-1) scoring drought to build its largest lead of the afternoon at six points. While the Cougars tried to build a comeback, the Deacs took a slight 42-41 lead into the break.
After Wilbekin opened the second half with a triple, the Cougars used a 9-0 run to gain a five-point lead. Woods responded with five quick points to tie the game once again and launch a back-and-forth battle. In a game that finished with 14 lead changes and eight ties, the Deacons found themselves down two with seven minutes to go. However, the Cougars caught fire and built a 75-68 lead with under two minutes to go. The Deacons rallied for the final time, cutting the deficit down to three, but ultimately fell 78-73.
The Deacons had a balanced offensive attack, as eight of the 12 Demon Deacons that played recorded at least one point. The team also combined for a season-high 34 points off the bench, led by Woods with 15.
The Deacs went 24-for-28 from the charity stripe, matching a season-high of 86 percent. Wilbekin, Crawford and Childress combined to go a perfect 14-for-14 from the line.
Up next, the Demon Deacons open a three-game homestand against UNCG on Friday, Nov. 24. Tip is set for 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on ACC Network Extra.
