Associated Press
WILMINGTON ó L.D. Williams scored a career-high 23 points, and Al-Farouq Aminu had 17 points, 13 rebounds and the highlight-reel play in Wake Forest’s 80-69 victory over North Carolina-Wilmington on Wednesday night.
Ishmael Smith matched a personal best with 19 points while answering several Seahawk rallies with slicing layups, and Williams was 8-for-8 from the free throw line in the final 11/2 minutes for the Deacons (7-2).
They shook off a sloppy start, shot nearly 54 percent and turned back several rallies to win their third straight overall and 12th in a row against the Seahawks (4-6).
Chad Tomko scored 12 points and nearly brought UNC Wilmington back from a 15-point deficit. The Seahawks had won three of four, were playing host to an ACCteam for just the third time and were denied their first victory against one of those programs in 17 years.
Twice in the final 11/2 minutes, Tomko made it a five-point game ó the last coming on a falling-down jumper that made it 74-69 with 56.5 seconds left. Williams then scored the game’s final six points from the line.
Ultimately, Wake Forest gave itself just enough breathing room with a 17-2 run that bridged halftime ó a burst capped by Aminu’s acrobatic gem. Chas McFarland missed a short jumper from the wing, but the sophomore swingman soared over a Wilmington player and slammed home the rebound to make it 43-30 with 18 minutes left.
Freshman C.J. Harris finished with 11 points for the Demon Deacons, who took the lead for good midway through the first half before pushing it into double figures with the run that started after Tomko’s three-point play pulled UNC Wilmington to 26-25 with 3:44 before the break.
Clemson 80, ECU 63
GREENVILLE ó Trevor Booker had 13 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists to help Clemson beat East Carolina 80-63.
Andre Young scored 16 points to lead the Tigers (9-2), who trailed for all of 25 seconds in the first half before beating the Pirates by double figures for the third straight season. Clemson shot 46 percent and knocked down plenty of 3-point shots, building a 10-point lead in the first 5 minutes on the way to a 17-point halftime margin.
The Pirates (4-6) never seriously threatened a comeback and fell to 1-62 all-time against ACC schools.
Clemson has won three straight games since blowing a 23-point second-half lead in a home loss to Illinois in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.