Wake Forest Upsets Clemson in High-Scoring Affair
Wednesday, February 18, 2026, 7:00 PM ET · LJVM Coliseum
Wake Forest Demon Deacons 85, Clemson Tigers 77, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Clemson Tigers vs Wake Forest Demon Deacons?
Wake Forest Demon Deacons beat Clemson Tigers 85-77 at LJVM Coliseum on February 18, 2026.
Who was favored in Clemson Tigers vs Wake Forest Demon Deacons?
Clemson Tigers were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -218 (about 69% implied). The underdog won.
In an exciting matchup, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons defeated the Clemson Tigers 85-77 at the LJVM Coliseum. This victory is particularly noteworthy as it marks a significant turnaround for Wake Forest, who had been struggling with a recent record of 3-7 over their last ten games. The victory extends their winning streak to two games, showcasing a resurgence in form after a challenging stretch.
Clemson entered the game with a solid away record of 20-7 and had been performing well overall, with a record of 7-3 in their last ten games. However, they were on a two-game losing streak, having lost to Duke and Virginia Tech prior to this matchup. The Tigers had averaged 69.8 points scored and allowed 62.7 points in their last ten games, indicating a strong defensive performance despite their recent defeats.
The game took place in Winston-Salem, where Wake Forest has struggled at home with a record of 14-12 overall and a home record of 1-4 in their last five games. In contrast, Clemson had a strong away record of 4-1 in their last five away games, positioning them as the favorite with a spread of 4.5 points according to DraftKings. The total points line was set at 140.5, reflecting expectations for a competitive scoring affair.
Historically, this matchup had seen Wake Forest come up short against Clemson, with their last meeting on December 21, 2024, resulting in a 62-73 loss for Wake. This added an extra layer of significance to the game, as the Demon Deacons sought to turn the tide in their favor.
In terms of injuries, the block does not specify any key players missing from either team, allowing both squads to field their best lineups. The conditions in the arena were typical for a college basketball game, with a vibrant atmosphere as fans rallied behind the home team.
As the game unfolded, Wake Forest's offensive strategy proved effective, leading to a final score of 85-77. Key moments included several successful free throws in the second half, with Mekhi Mason contributing significantly to the scoreline through his free throw shooting. The Demon Deacons maintained a lead throughout the second half, demonstrating resilience against a Clemson team that was unable to close the gap despite their efforts.
For viewers, the game showcased Wake Forest's ability to capitalize on their home court advantage, while Clemson's struggles to adapt to the pressure of the moment were evident. The final score not only reflects a crucial win for Wake Forest but also highlights the unpredictable nature of college basketball, where any team can emerge victorious on any given night.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | CLEM -4.5 | 140.5 o -105 / u -115 | Clemson Tigers -218 · Wake Forest Demon Deacons +180 |
Leaders
- PointsJuke Harris20Wake Forest Demon Deacons
- AssistsIsaac Carr5Wake Forest Demon Deacons
- ReboundsJuke Harris7Wake Forest Demon Deacons
- PointsJake Wahlin17Clemson Tigers
- AssistsRJ Godfrey3Clemson Tigers
- ReboundsCarter Welling7Clemson Tigers
Recent form
Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Last 10: 3-7Streak W276.3 scored · 81.1 allowed per game1-4 at home
- W68-63vs Stanford CardinalFeb 14
- W83-67at Georgia Tech Yellow JacketsFeb 12
- L80-88vs Louisville CardinalsFeb 7
- L78-96vs NC State WolfpackJan 31
- L76-80at Pittsburgh PanthersJan 27
- L69-90at Duke Blue DevilsJan 24
- L79-91vs SMU MustangsJan 21
- W69-68at Florida State SeminolesJan 17
- L84-87at North Carolina Tar HeelsJan 10
- L77-81vs Miami HurricanesJan 8
Clemson Tigers
Last 10: 7-3Streak L269.8 scored · 62.7 allowed per game4-1 away
- L54-67at Duke Blue DevilsFeb 14
- L66-76vs Virginia Tech HokiesFeb 12
- W77-55at California Golden BearsFeb 8
- W66-64at Stanford CardinalFeb 5
- W63-52vs Pittsburgh PanthersJan 31
- W77-63at Georgia Tech Yellow JacketsJan 24
- L76-80vs NC State WolfpackJan 21
- W69-59vs Miami HurricanesJan 17
- W74-50vs Boston College EaglesJan 14
- W76-61at Notre Dame Fighting IrishJan 10
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duke | 35-3 | - | 17-1 |
| Virginia | 30-6 | 2 | 15-3 |
| Miami | 26-9 | 4 | 13-5 |
| North Carolina | 24-9 | 5 | 12-6 |
| Clemson | 24-11 | 5 | 12-6 |
| Louisville | 24-11 | 6 | 11-7 |
| NC State | 20-14 | 7 | 10-8 |
| Florida State | 18-15 | 7 | 10-8 |
| California | 22-12 | 8 | 9-9 |
| Stanford | 20-13 | 8 | 9-9 |
| Virginia Tech | 19-13 | 9 | 8-10 |
| SMU | 20-14 | 9 | 8-10 |
| Wake Forest | 18-17 | 10 | 7-11 |
| Syracuse | 15-17 | 11 | 6-12 |
| Pittsburgh | 13-20 | 12 | 5-13 |
| Notre Dame | 13-18 | 13 | 4-14 |
| Boston College | 11-20 | 13 | 4-14 |
| Georgia Tech | 11-20 | 15 | 2-16 |
Box score
| Stat | Clemson Tigers | Wake Forest Demon Deacons |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 26-56 | 28-51 |
| Field goal % | 46 | 55 |
| Three-pointers | 8-26 | 10-22 |
| Three-point % | 31 | 45 |
| Free throws | 17-25 | 19-24 |
| Free throw % | 68 | 79 |
| Rebounds | 27 | 27 |
| Offensive rebounds | 10 | 6 |
| Defensive rebounds | 17 | 21 |
| Assists | 14 | 14 |
| Steals | 4 | 8 |
| Blocks | 3 | 4 |
| Turnovers | 9 | 10 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 1 |
| Points off turnovers | 13 | 12 |
| Fast-break points | 14 | 7 |
| Points in the paint | 32 | 30 |
| Fouls | 21 | 19 |
| Largest lead | 2 | 20 |
| Lead changes | 1 | 1 |
| Time in front | 2 | 94 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half46-54RJ Godfrey makes layup (Carter Welling assists)
- 2nd Half46-56Mekhi Mason makes layup (Tre'Von Spillers assists)
- 2nd Half46-57Mekhi Mason makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half49-57Jestin Porter makes 25-foot three point jumper (RJ Godfrey assists)
- 2nd Half51-57Jestin Porter makes layup
- 2nd Half51-59Juke Harris makes 8-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half51-61Juke Harris makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half54-61Jake Wahlin makes 24-foot three point jumper (Dillon Hunter assists)
- 2nd Half54-63Sebastian Akins makes 12-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half54-65Juke Harris makes 10-foot jumper
- 2nd Half56-65Nick Davidson makes 1-foot dunk (RJ Godfrey assists)
- 2nd Half56-68Juke Harris makes 25-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half56-69Sebastian Akins makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half56-70Sebastian Akins makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half58-70Carter Welling makes 1-foot dunk
- 2nd Half59-70Ace Buckner makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half60-70Ace Buckner makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half62-70Ace Buckner makes 9-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half62-71Tre'Von Spillers makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half63-71Carter Welling makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half64-71Carter Welling makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half64-72Juke Harris makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half66-72Ace Buckner makes driving layup
- 2nd Half66-75Sebastian Akins makes 25-foot three point jumper (Juke Harris assists)
- 2nd Half66-76Sebastian Akins makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half67-76Carter Welling makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half67-77Juke Harris makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half67-78Juke Harris makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half70-78Jake Wahlin makes 26-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half70-79Sebastian Akins makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half70-80Sebastian Akins makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half71-80Ace Buckner makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half72-80Ace Buckner makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half72-81Mekhi Mason makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half72-82Mekhi Mason makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half74-82Carter Welling makes driving layup
- 2nd Half74-83Sebastian Akins makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half74-84Sebastian Akins makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half77-84Dillon Hunter makes 24-foot three point jumper (Jestin Porter assists)
- 2nd Half77-85Juke Harris makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Wake Forest Demon Deacons, below favours Clemson Tigers.
Venue
- LJVM ColiseumWinston-Salem, NC
- Attendance7433
- OfficialsLee Cassell, Tony Padilla, Marques Pettigrew
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