WINSTON-SALEM--Wake Forest used a 10-0 run over the last two minutes of the first half and pulled away in the second en route to a 98-71 rout over VMI at Joel Coliseum on Tuesday night. Sophomore guard Codi Miller-McIntyre scored 23 points in the win, besting his previous career high of 21. Fellow sophomore Devin Thomas added 20 points and 17 rebounds at halftime, as the Keydets never found an answer for the Deacs' fast-paced attack.
The Deacs struggled early, especially behind the three-point and free throw lines, and allowed too many easy VMI baskets through much of the first half. Eventally the Demon Deacon fast break lead by Miller-McIntyre was too much for the visitors from Virginia to handle.
The much-heralded VMI offense, near the top of NCAA scoring record books for much of the past decade, never could establish a rhythm, shooting just 28.6% for the game. Wake Forest's perimeter defense had a much stronger showing from the season opener against Colgate, especially in the second half. While VMI attempted 30 3-point shots, they connected on only 9 for the game.
The Deacs next face Presbyterian on Friday night at LJVM Coliseum. Tip time for that game is 7:00 p.m.
