No. 13 Virginia Holds Off Wake Forest in 75-70 Victory

Cavaliers bounce back at home to improve to 26-4 overall and 14-3 in ACC play

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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No. 13 Virginia men's basketball team defeated Wake Forest 75-70 in a close game at John Paul Jones Arena. The Cavaliers overcame a slow start offensively, shooting just 17.6% from three-point range in the first half, but improved to 47% from deep in the second half to hold off the Demon Deacons. Thijs De Ridder led Virginia with 16 points, while Jacari White provided a spark off the bench with 14 points. The Cavaliers' defense held Wake Forest to just 23.3% shooting in the first half and out-rebounded the Deacons 42-33 overall.

Why it matters

This win helps No. 13 Virginia bounce back after a tough loss to Duke and keeps them in contention for a high seed in the upcoming ACC Tournament and NCAA Tournament. The Cavaliers' ability to overcome their early offensive struggles and make key shots down the stretch shows their resilience as they prepare for the postseason.

The details

Virginia struggled to get its offense going early, shooting just 17.6% from three-point range in the first half. However, the Cavaliers used a 10-2 run at the end of the first half to take a 32-24 lead into the break. Although Wake Forest was able to get within three points in the second half, Virginia made timely shots from players like Thijs De Ridder, Devin Tillis, Johann Grünloh, Malik Thomas, Dallin Hall and Jacari White to hold on for the victory. Defensively, the Cavaliers held the Deacons to just 23.3% shooting in the first half and out-rebounded them 42-33 overall.

  • The game was played on Tuesday, March 4, 2026.

The players

Thijs De Ridder

A Belgian player who led Virginia with 16 points, 6 rebounds, 1 block and 1 steal.

Jacari White

A Virginia player who provided a spark off the bench, scoring 14 points and going 3-for-4 from the field in the second half.

Johann Grünloh

A Virginia player who scored 12 points in the win.

Malik Thomas

A Virginia player who scored 11 points in the game.

Juke Harris

A Wake Forest player who hit a three-pointer to tie the game at 11 in the first half.

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What’s next

Virginia will look to build on this win as they prepare for the upcoming ACC Tournament and NCAA Tournament. The Cavaliers will need to continue improving their offensive efficiency and consistency if they hope to make a deep postseason run.

The takeaway

Despite a slow start offensively, No. 13 Virginia showed its resilience by making key shots down the stretch to hold off a pesky Wake Forest team. The Cavaliers' defensive effort and ability to control the boards were crucial factors in securing the 75-70 victory at home.