Men. No. 13 Wake Forest 85, N.C. State 78

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- James Johnson had career highs with 28 points and 18 rebounds to lead No. 13 Wake Forest past North Carolina State 85-78 Thursday night.

Ishmael Smith added a season-high 18 points and Chas McFarland had 15 for the Demon Deacons (21-5, 8-5 Atlantic Coast Conference).

They shot 52.5 percent and led nearly all the way, but allowed most of an early 15-point lead to slip away.

Wake Forest recovered in time to improve to 13-1 at home and win for the third time in four games. The victory moved the Demon Deacons into a three-way tie for third in the conference standings with No. 12 Clemson and No. 23 Florida State.

Tracy Smith scored 18 points to lead five double-figure scorers for the Wolfpack (15-11, 5-8), who were denied their second sweep of Wake Forest in coach Sidney Lowe's three seasons.