Deacons Survive: Colvin and Akins Propel Wake Forest Past Virginia Tech in OT Thriller
Deacons Survive: Colvin and Akins Propel Wake Forest Past Virginia Tech in OT Thriller
Wake Forest kept its postseason pulse beating on Tuesday night, outlasting Virginia Tech in a 95-89 overtime classic to open the ACC Tournament in Charlotte. The victory was a testament to the growth of the Demon Deacons’ backcourt, as Myles Colvin and Sebastian Akins combined for a clinical performance when the stakes were highest. In a game that featured wild momentum swings and high-level shot-making, it was the Deacons' resilience in the extra period that allowed them to advance to a Wednesday night showdown with Clemson.
The duo of Colvin and Akins took total control in overtime, answering every Virginia Tech bucket with poise. Colvin was lethal from the perimeter throughout the night, connecting on five triples to keep the defense honest. Meanwhile, Akins, the former Summit League Freshman of the Year who has quickly adapted to life in the ACC, proved why he is considered one of the conference's rising stars. His ability to navigate the pick-and-roll and find his own shot in the closing minutes of regulation and overtime was the difference-maker for Steve Forbes’ squad.
Breaking Down the Backcourt Dominance
Wake Forest (17-15) entered the tournament as the No. 13 seed but played with the confidence of a top-tier contender. Myles Colvin finished the night as one of the game's top scorers, using his size and athleticism to create mismatches on the wing. His synergy with Sebastian Akins has become the focal point of the Deacons' offense. Akins finished with several critical baskets in the final stretch, demonstrating the clutch gene that Wake Forest has lacked in tight contests earlier this season.
The Deacons also received a vital contribution from Omaha Biliew, who anchored the interior despite the Hokies' dominance on the glass. While Virginia Tech won the rebounding battle 45-28, Wake Forest compensated by forcing 13 turnovers and turning them into 18 transition points. The Deacons shot an impressive 51% from the field, a mark that helped them overcome the Hokies' 21 offensive rebounds.
Season Outlook and Next Steps
This win revitalizes a Wake Forest season that had been marred by inconsistency. The team has shown flashes of brilliance, particularly in their shooting displays, but putting together a complete 40—or in this case, 45—minutes has been a challenge. By surviving the first round, they now face a Clemson team that has struggled to stabilize its form late in the regular season. For the Deacons to pull another upset, the Colvin-Akins connection will need to remain firing on all cylinders.
The statistical profile for Wake Forest remains promising if they can find better defensive rebounding. With a high-octane offense capable of putting up 90+ points on any given night, they are the type of lower seed that no one wants to face in a single-elimination format. As they prepare for the Tigers, the focus will be on maintaining the offensive flow that saw them drop 95 points on a gritty Virginia Tech defense.
