The Closer: Sebastian Akins Delivers OT Dagger to Keep Wake Forest Dancing
The Closer: Sebastian Akins Delivers OT Dagger to Keep Wake Forest Dancing
When the pressure reached its boiling point in the opening round of the ACC Tournament, Wake Forest turned to Sebastian Akins, and the sophomore guard delivered. In a heart-stopping overtime period against Virginia Tech, Akins hit the definitive dagger—a contested jumper that silenced the Hokie faithful and pushed the Demon Deacons toward a 95-89 victory. The win keeps Wake Forest alive in the bracket, where they now prepare for a high-stakes second-round matchup against Clemson.
Akins has been a revelation for the Deacons since transferring from Denver, where he was named the Summit League Freshman of the Year. On Tuesday night, his ability to create space and finish under duress was the difference in a game that felt like it could have gone either way. While Myles Colvin provided the outside shooting, Akins was the engine of the offense in the extra five minutes, navigating a physical Virginia Tech defense that had been dominant on the glass for most of the regulation period.
Elite Performance in the Extra Period
Wake Forest (17-15) relied heavily on Akins' decision-making as they fought off a resilient Virginia Tech squad. Despite the Hokies grabbing 21 offensive rebounds, Akins helped the Deacons maintain a 51% shooting average by taking high-quality shots and drawing fouls in transition. His 12.7 points per game average from his freshman year has only told half the story; in the ACC, he has developed into a reliable closer who thrives when the pace quickens.
The synergy between the Deacons' starters was evident in the final minutes. While Akins took the lead in scoring during overtime, the defensive effort from the entire unit forced critical Hokie misses. Akins' late-game heroics were supported by the rebounding of Omaha Biliew and the floor spacing of Colvin. The Deacons converted 13 Hokie turnovers into 18 points, a stat that Akins influenced through his defensive pressure and speed in the open court.
Tournament Outlook for the Deacons
With this win under their belt, the Deacons face a formidable challenge in No. 5 seed Clemson on Wednesday night. The Tigers have been one of the more consistent teams in the ACC, but they have shown vulnerability against high-scoring backcourts. If Akins can maintain his current form, Wake Forest has the offensive firepower to play the role of spoiler. Akins currently averages a team-high in assists, and his ability to balance playmaking with his own scoring will be key to breaking down Clemson’s defensive shell.
As the ACC Tournament continues in Charlotte, Sebastian Akins is quickly becoming a name to watch for national scouts. His transition from a mid-major standout to an ACC tournament hero is a testament to his work ethic and the system installed by coach Steve Forbes. For the Deacons, the hope is that Akins has a few more daggers left in his arsenal as they look to make a deep run in March.
