NASSAU, Bahamas (Interstat) — In a heart-stopping finish at the Baha Mar Championship, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons escaped with a 69-68 victory over the Memphis Tigers on Friday, snapping a two-game skid and handing the reeling Tigers their fourth consecutive loss.

The game was decided in the final second, as Memphis guard Dug McDaniel sank two free throws to pull the Tigers within a single point with one-tenth of a second remaining. Wake Forest successfully inbounded the ball to run out the clock, securing the narrow win in a contest that featured 11 lead changes and was tied on eight occasions.

Wake Forest improved to 4-2 on the young season, while Memphis fell to a disappointing 1-4.

The first half was a back-and-forth affair dominated by McDaniel’s hot hand. The Washington, D.C., native scored 17 of his game-high 24 points before the break, propelling Memphis to a 33-27 halftime lead. The Tigers built their advantage on the strength of an early 17-3 run, capitalizing on a series of Wake Forest turnovers and missed shots.

The Demon Deacons, however, emerged from the locker room with renewed energy. They chipped away at the deficit throughout the second half, finally reclaiming the lead with just over seven minutes remaining in a sequence that set the stage for the frantic finish.

Tre’Von Spillers was the catalyst for Wake Forest’s comeback. The 6-foot-7 forward from Charleston, South Carolina, was a force inside and out, matching McDaniel’s output with 24 points of his own. His performance included several crucial baskets down the stretch and two critical blocked shots that stifled Memphis’s offensive rhythm.

Spillers received significant support from fellow forward Myles Colvin. The Indianapolis native caught fire in the second half, scoring 15 of his 19 points after the break. His scoring burst, including a key three-pointer and a driving layup in the final minutes, provided the secondary scoring the Demon Deacons desperately needed.

While McDaniel’s 24 points and six assists led all Memphis players, the Tigers struggled to find consistent offense elsewhere. Zach Davis provided a spark with 12 points, and Julius Thedford added nine off the bench, but it was not enough to overcome a Wake Forest team that shot more efficiently from the field in the decisive second half.

The game was a tale of two halves, with Memphis controlling the pace early before Wake Forest’s adjustments and superior execution after halftime turned the tide. The Demon Deacons’ defense tightened significantly, forcing the Tigers into tougher shots and key turnovers during critical possessions.

Juke Harris, despite an off shooting night, contributed 10 points and three assists for Wake Forest, while Mekhi Mason facilitated the offense with four assists. For Memphis, Ashton Hardaway and Curtis Givens each scored eight points in the losing effort.

The victory provides a crucial momentum boost for Wake Forest as it heads home to face Campbell on Tuesday. For Memphis, the search for answers continues as it returns home to host Southern Illinois on Wednesday, looking to halt a slide that has defined the early part of its season.