Wake Forest’s Late Surge Sinks Gritty Navy in NIT First Round Thriller

The Joel Coliseum crowd, perhaps expecting a comfortable evening, instead bore witness to a testament of resilience. On one side, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, seeking to salvage a season with a deep NIT run. On the other, the Navy Midshipmen, embodying the fight of their institution, refusing to let their historic campaign end quietly. In the end, it took a decisive, character-revealing burst from the home team to finally put the Patriots to rest, as Wake Forest used a late 12-2 run to secure an 82-72 victory in the NIT opener Wednesday night.

A Game of Runs and Resilience

From the opening tip, Wake Forest (18-16) imposed its athleticism and size. Juke Harris, the dynamic freshman, set the tone early, slicing through the lane and firing from deep on his way to a game-high 26 points. His offensive versatility kept Navy’s disciplined defense off-balance throughout the night. The Demon Deacons never trailed after the game’s opening minutes, building leads that seemed poised to balloon.

Yet, each time Wake Forest threatened to pull away, Navy (26-8) answered. The Midshipmen, champions of the Patriot League regular season, showcased the grit that earned them 26 wins—their highest total since the 1986-87 season. Led by the fearless play of senior guard Austin Benigni, who poured in 19 points in his final collegiate game, Navy chipped away. They leveraged crisp ball movement, timely three-point shooting, and relentless effort on the glass to stay within striking distance, turning what looked like a potential blowout into a tense, second-half battle.

“That’s a championship-level team we just played,” a Wake Forest coach would likely note post-game. “They don’t quit. They’re as tough as they come. We had to earn every single inch tonight.”

The Spark: Biliew’s Energy and a Decisive Flurry

While Harris provided the steady scoring, the Demon Deacons received a monumental boost from their bench, specifically from the explosive Omaha Biliew. The highly-touted forward announced his presence with authority, throwing down three thunderous slam dunks that electrified the home crowd and demoralized the opponent. His 15 points were a career-high, but his impact transcended the box score.

“Omaha changed the game with his energy,” analysts would observe. “Those dunks aren’t just two points; they’re emotional catalysts. They give your team a lift and can suck the life out of an opponent.”

Yet, with under eight minutes to play and Navy hanging within single digits, Wake Forest needed a closing kick. It arrived from an ensemble cast. The sequence that sealed the victory was a masterpiece of clutch execution:

• Myles Colvin ignited the run with a cold-blooded corner three-pointer.
• Omaha Biliew then calmly sank two free throws before stepping back to drill another corner three, showcasing a versatile skill set.
• Tre’Von Spillers, a force inside all night with 14 points and 9 rebounds, capped the 12-2 explosion with a pair of powerful layups.

In just over three minutes, a precarious lead ballooned to 72-56, finally providing the Demon Deacons the insurmountable cushion they had sought all night. “That’s the sign of a mature team,” experts would say. “When the moment got tight, they didn’t force bad shots. They shared the ball, trusted their offense, and got stops. That run was a product of poise.”

Saluting a Foe: Navy’s Historic Season Concludes

While the focus shifts to Wake Forest’s continued postseason, the night demanded a salute to the vanquished. Navy’s season was nothing short of remarkable. Under the guidance of coach Ed DeChellis, the Midshipmen compiled a storybook year, dominating the Patriot League and bringing a military-grade toughness to every contest. Austin Benigni’s leadership and scoring will be sorely missed, but the foundation is firmly set.

“What Navy did this season is a blueprint for how to build a program,” a commentator would reflect. “They play harder than you, they’re smarter than you, and they are unshakable in their belief. They have nothing to hang their heads about. They left their mark.” The standing ovation they received from the knowledgeable Winston-Salem crowd as the final seconds ticked away was a fitting tribute to their effort and their exceptional season.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Wake Forest?

With the hard-fought win, Wake Forest advances to the second round of the NIT, where they will host the winner of the Illinois State vs. Kent State matchup. The victory provides this young Demon Deacons squad with invaluable postseason experience and, more importantly, extra practice time and games to develop.

Key factors for Wake Forest’s continued NIT run:

• Balanced Scoring: Four players in double figures (Harris 26, Biliew 15, Spillers 14, Calmese 12) makes the offense difficult to defend.
• Bench Production: The explosive scoring from Biliew and others off the pine is a weapon most NIT teams cannot match.
• Interior Presence: Tre’Von Spillers’ near double-double provides a crucial rebounding and defensive anchor.
• Closing Ability: Learning to deliver a knockout punch, as they did with the late 12-2 run, is a critical postseason skill.

The path through the NIT is never easy, but Wednesday night’s game provided the exact kind of test Wake Forest needed. They faced a tough, disciplined opponent, encountered adversity when their leads shrunk, and found a way to rally together to secure the win. The lessons learned in surviving Navy’s relentless challenge will only make them tougher for the next round.

Conclusion: A Win That Builds More Than a Record

Final score aside, Wake Forest’s 82-72 victory over Navy was about more than just advancing in the NIT. It was a character win. It was a game where a freshman star (Juke Harris) shouldered the scoring load, where a bench player (Omaha Biliew) altered the game’s energy, and where the entire unit collectively executed under pressure to finally subdue a proud and tenacious opponent.

For Navy, their unforgettable season ends, but their legacy of toughness remains. For Wake Forest, the journey continues. The Demon Deacons proved they could win a rock fight, and in the grueling environment of postseason basketball, that trait is often the difference between moving on and going home. As they await their next opponent in Winston-Salem, they do so with the confidence of a team that has already passed a significant test of heart and will.

Source: Based on news from Deadspin.

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