Sports > January 31, 2008

By Ryan Durham | Senior writer

Sophomore guard Ishmael Smith proved once again when it comes down to the wire he can make the basket as he sunk a jumper with only seconds left on the clock to give the Deacs their third ACC win of the season 70-68 over Miami.

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Freshman guard Jeff Teague guards a Miami player during the home game Jan. 29. Teague led the team with a career high 27 points in the game. (Kelly Makepeace/Old Gold & Black)

The Hurricanes and Deacons fought throughout the first half for the lead, tying the score six times. Neither team could manage to gain a double-digit lead or stop the other’s attack.

The first half played out differently than many other of the Deacons’ games this season.

Wake Forest shot 6 for 11 from behind the arc, giving them a majority of their 34 points at halftime.

The Deacs conversely only shot 39 percent from the floor and were missing short jumpers that they would have traditionally hit.

Wake Forest was not the only team that was hot behind the arc in the first half.

The ’Canes also hit over 60 percent of their shots from three point land thanks in most part to guard Jack McClinton who was 4 for 5 in the first half.

This strong play on both sides of the court contributed to the back and forth play and sent both of the teams into the halftime locker room with 34 points.

“I thought our guys in the first half allowed them to stay in the game,” said Miami Head Coach Frank Haith. “I thought we had a chance to get separation. We gave them some open looks and I thought that got them going.”

Wake Forest stayed hot in the second half, hitting 50 percent of their three-point shots.

Freshman guard Jeff Teague, who had a career high 27 points, hit all three of his three-point shots in the second half, and had multiple key baskets in the half.

Wake Forest built up a seven point lead with six minutes left in the half, but the Deacs missed a pair of shots and turned the ball over, allowing the Hurricanes to tie the game with 1:27 left in the half.

Miami missed a basket that would have given them the lead, which gave the Deacons one last chance to win the game.

Smith ran the clock down to the final seconds and then charged the lane and put up a jumper to give the Deacs a two point lead with less than three seconds left on the clock giving the Deacs the win.

“I always have faith in Ish,” Teague said. “He’s a big shot taker. The last game against Virginia Tech he hit the big shot and I knew he could do it again.”

Teague was one of only two Wake Forest players to score in double digits with his 27 points.

“I was throwing it up and everything was going in,” Teague said. “I was feeling good on the court. Usually L.D. gets us off to a good start but he’s not here. Coach told us to stay agressive and Ish would get us the ball.”

Sophomore center Chas McFarland put up 10 points and had six rebounds.

The Deacs next travel down I-40 to face the Wolfpack Feb. 3 before returning home Feb. 6 to face Georgia Tech.

“I think our guys really gutted out and played with a big heart to get a win tonight,” said Head Coach Dino Gaudio. “We didn’t play real well. A lot of that credit goes to Frank’s kids.”

The Deacs now sit at 3-3 in the ACC and 13-6 overall. They are currently in a three-way tie for fifth place in the division.