RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) Markell Johnson had 25 points to help NC State beat Wake Forest 94-74 on Sunday.
Jericole Hellems added 14 points off the bench for the Wolfpack (20-8, 8-7 ACC) who avenged last month's road loss that came with Johnson sidelined by injury. But Johnson was largely a one-man show for the Wolfpack in the rematch, hitting five of his career-best six 3-pointers by halftime.
NC State led 46-41 before running off 10 straight points, including 3s from Johnson and Braxton Beverly. DJ Funderburk's dunk capped that burst to make it 56-41 with 14:04 left in what would remain a comfortable margin the rest of the way.
Freshman Jaylen Hoard had 17 points to lead the Demon Deacons (10-16, 3-11), who shot just 38 percent while making 7 of 22 3-pointers. Wake Forest played without starting big man Olivier Sarr due to an ankle injury.
BIG PICTURE
Wake Forest: The Demon Deacons were coming off their first road win of the season (Tuesday at Notre Dame) and trying to win consecutive league road games for the first time since 2009. They were also trying to replicate one of their few highlights of their league schedule, when they led a then-ranked Wolfpack team by 22 points in the second half before blowing the lead and having to hang on for the win. But in a recurring pattern of bad starts, Wake Forest fell behind 9-0 in the first 2 1/2 minutes and never led.
NC State: NC State is still building up an NCAA Tournament resume that features few noteworthy wins but also with the January defeat to Wake Forest standing as the only bad stumble. This game was more about avoiding a loss that could do greater harm to its resume than a win could help.
UP NEXT
Wake Forest: The Demon Deacons host Miami on Tuesday night.
NC State: There are a few days off for the Wolfpack before visiting No. 16 Florida State on March 2.