WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) — Nate Kalmes hit a step-back 3-pointer with six seconds left and made two free throws seconds later to help Wake Forest beat Virginia Tech 81-78 on Saturday.
Wake Forest (10-5, 1-1 ACC) never trailed in the first half, but Virginia Tech was within one goal five times in the first 10 minutes after halftime. Amani Hansberry’s 3-pointer gave the Hokies their first lead at 60-58 with 8 minutes left.
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Tre’Von Spillers scored the next nine points for Wake Forest, hitting a 3-pointer with 1:11 left to give the Demon Deacons a 76-74 lead. Christian Gurdak’s offensive rebound and put-back shot tied Virginia Tech with 49 seconds left.
Wake Forest missed a few shots on its next possession, but the Dickens got the ball behind an offensive rebound with 25 seconds left. Calmes put the game away within 10 seconds, with his 3-pointer from near the top of the key proving decisive, giving the Guards a 79-76 lead.
The score was 79-78. Kalmes was fouled and made two free throws with 3 seconds left in the game. Wake Forest led by three and put Jalen Bedford at the free throw line with one second left. He missed both attempts, and Spillers rebounded to end the game.
Kalmes was held scoreless in Wake Forest’s ACC opener loss to North Carolina State on New Year’s Eve, but he scored a season-high 25 points and dished out seven assists. Spiller and Zucker Harris each scored 15 points.
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Bedford had 25 points, Hansberry had 19 points and Ben Hammond had 14 points for Virginia Tech (12-3, 1-1). Hansberry grabbed 10 rebounds for his third consecutive double-double and seventh of the season.
Next
Virginia Tech: Stanford visits on Wednesday.
Wake Forest: Miami visits on Wednesday. ___
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