Juke Harris Puts On A Scoring Clinic, But Clemson Outlasts Wake Forest

Sophomore sensation Juke Harris cemented his legacy in the Wake Forest record books on Wednesday night, putting on a scoring masterclass in the second round of the ACC Tournament. Harris poured in 22 points on efficient 7-of-12 shooting, marking his 33rd consecutive game in double figures—a school record. Despite his heroic efforts and a mid-game scoring clinic that saw him hit from deep and finish through contact at the rim, the Demon Deacons ultimately fell to a balanced Clemson squad, 71-62, at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte.

Clemson (23-9) utilized a deep rotation and a stifling defensive scheme to weather the Harris storm. The Tigers saw contributions from all ten players who saw the floor, with RJ Godfrey leading the way with double-digit scoring. Clemson’s ability to control the paint was the difference-maker, as they built a 52-32 lead midway through the second half. Although Wake Forest mounted a late 9-0 run behind the shooting of Nate Calmese, the Tigers remained steady at the free-throw line in the closing minute to secure their place in the quarterfinals against North Carolina.

For Wake Forest (17-16), the loss is a bitter end to a season that saw Harris emerge as one of the premier scorers in the country. The Salisbury native’s 22-point performance brought his season total to 703 points, moving him into fourth place in program history for a single season. Senior forward Tre’Von Spillers also stood out for the Deacons, recording a double-double with 15 points and a season-high 12 rebounds. Spillers showed an expanded game by knocking down a career-high three triples, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Tigers' depth.

The first half was a back-and-forth affair, with Juke Harris opening the scoring for the Deacons with a deep three-pointer. Wake Forest briefly held the lead early on, but Clemson’s interior size began to wear them down. The Tigers out-rebounded the Deacons in critical stretches and utilized their bench to maintain a high tempo that Wake Forest struggled to match. Clemson’s veteran poise showed in the final seven minutes; even as they missed several consecutive shots, they remained disciplined on the defensive end to prevent the Deacons from closing the gap within eight points.

Clemson head coach Brad Brownell praised his team’s collective effort, noting that stopping a player of Harris’ caliber required a total team commitment. As the Tigers prepare for a heavyweight battle with the Tar Heels, Wake Forest heads home to reflect on a season of individual brilliance. With Harris returning for his junior season, the Demon Deacons have a foundational piece to build around, but they will need to find more consistent secondary scoring to complement his elite offensive output in the future.