Wake Forest Prevails in Overtime Against Pitt

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.- Behind four players with double-figure points, Wake Forest (9-14, 2-8 ACC) defeated Pitt (12-11, 2-8 ACC) 78-76 in overtime at the LJVM on Tuesday night. It was the first game in ACC play that Wake featured four players with double figure scoring.

Freshman Jaylen Hoard had a career-performance, leading the Deacons with his sixth double-double of the season with a team-high 19 points and a career-best 17 boards, the most rebounds from a freshman since Tim Duncan also had 17 in 1994.

Brandon Childress and Chaundee Brown each added 18 points, while Sharone Wright, Jr. notched 11- all in the second half. Childress also added six assists.

Both teams shot 42 percent from the field and 38 percent from three, but a strong second half and overtime lifted the Demon Deacons over the Panthers. Wake Forest won the battle of the glass, out-rebounding Pitt 48-35.

After falling behind 8-0 to start the game, the Deacs found their stride from behind the arc as Childress and Brown connected for the first triples of the game to get within one. Childress drew a foul from three-point range and connected on two of the three free throws. He answered back with his second deep ball with under a minute remaining in the half to tie the game. Pitt ended the frame with a fast break layup to hang on to the 28-26 advantage at the break.

Childress remained hot from behind the arc, opening the second half with another three, giving Wake Forest its first lead of the contest.

Both sides traded baskets early in the second half, but Wake Forest hit four straight from the field capped by another deep ball from Childress to give the Deacons a 46-43 lead with 11:04 to play. The Panthers regained control with an 8-0 run, grabbing a 51-46 lead.

Sharone Wright, Jr tallied his first points of the game with back-to-back threes and a jumper to put Wake back on top. Hoard recorded the block on the defensive end and found Michael Wynn under the basket for the easy layup as the Deacons responded with a 9-0 run of their own to lead 56-53 with 6:16 on the clock.

Wright, Jr., continued to light up the Joel with an explosive And-1, pushing the Deacs' lead to eight points following a 12-0 run. The Panthers rallied back pulling within three, forcing Wake Forest to call timeout.

A couple of trips to the free throw line and a 6-0 run for Pitt gave the Panthers a two-point lead with 36 seconds on the clock. With under five seconds to play, Chaundee Brown went for the win with a three, just slightly off target, but Hoard recorded his career-high 16th board and putback to tie the game 67-67, forcing overtime for just the second time this season.

The Deacon defense forced back-to-back turnovers and finished with a three and layup on the other end to take a 74-72 lead, Pitt rallied back for the tie, but Brown hit his third triple of the game to put the Deacs back on top 77-74 with 35 seconds remaining in overtime.

Freshman Isaiah Mucius had a quiet game, but stepped up to seal the victory with his first point of the game, connecting from the free throw line giving Wake Forest a 78-75 lead. Pitt split a pair from the line, but Childress handled the rebound as the clock expired for Wake's second ACC victory.

Following an eight-day break, Wake Forest will return to action on the road against Florida State on Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast on RSN.

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Team Stats

Jaylen Hoard

Brandon Childress

Chaundee Brown

Wright Jr.

Players Mentioned

Chaundee Brown

Brandon Childress

Jaylen Hoard

Isaiah Mucius

Michael Wynn

Players Mentioned

Chaundee Brown

Brandon Childress

Jaylen Hoard

Isaiah Mucius

Michael Wynn

Wake Forest Athletics