Mekhi Mason scored 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in his first game for Wake Forest as the Demon Deacons beat visiting American 88-74 in Monday night’s season opener in Winston-Salem, N.C.
Tre’Von Spillers also pumped in 20 points to go with eight rebounds, while Juke Harris posted 18 points. Myles Colvin, who came off the bench, and Nate Calmese each chipped in 10 points.
Wyatt Nausadis racked up 22 points, Greg Jones had 14 points and Geoff Sprouse finished with 10 points for American, which threatened with second-half rallies but never put enough game pressure on the Demon Deacons. The Eagles shot 43.1% from the field.
American made a run to cut the score to 72-61 with less than six minutes left. After the Demon Deacons went nearly two minutes without scoring, Calmese responded with a 3-pointer for Wake Forest.
The 88 points matched the most for the Demon Deacons from any game last season. They recorded 20 assists on 31 baskets.
Wake Forest has averaged over 15 home wins across the past four seasons, so rolling past another visiting opponent was part of the plan.
Mason, a transfer from Washington after playing two seasons for Rice, shot 7-for-15 from the field. He made three of Wake Forest’s seven 3-pointers.
Spillers was 8-for-11 from the floor, and he also was credited with four steals.
Wake Forest, coming off a 21-win season, has undergone major roster turnover, so it might take time for this group to gel.
The Demon Deacons struggled with perimeter shooting in the first half but dominated with a series of dunks to take a 46-34 lead by halftime.
American, the reigning Patriot League Tournament champion, was hurt by 18 turnovers. The Eagles had 11 assists.
There were five blocked shots in the game, all by Wake Forest.
