Jake LaRavia pours in 31 points as Wake Forest makes history in blowout win over North Carolina

Wake Forest defeated North Carolina 98-76 on Saturday night and made some history in the process.

This is Wake Forest’s largest margin of victory over the Tar Heels since Feb. 6, 2002. That Demon Deacons team had future NBA players Darius Songaila and Josh Howard on the roster.

On Saturday night, it was a three-pronged attack of Jake LaRavia, Alondes Williams and Daivien Williamson. LaRavia led the way with 31 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists.

After the game, North Carolina coach Hubert Davis said that LaRavia “controlled” the entire contest. His 31 points were a career high by a wide margin — his previous mark was 27 points vs. Ball State last season when he was playing for Indiana State. His previous high vs. an ACC opponent was 22 points against Florida State earlier this year.

LaRavia acknowledged that he’s trying to be more aggressive as a scorer.

“The coaches are just telling me to be a lot more aggressive,” LaRavia said in his postgame press conference. “I consider myself a very unselfish player. They’re just telling me to be more aggressive.

“I think a lot of times I look to pass when I could shoot the ball. Just some things I’ve got to work on, is just trying to be more aggressive and starting shooting the ball instead of maybe giving up an open shot.”

LaRavia had support from Williams and Williamson, who scored 23 and 19 points, respectively. That trio has Wake Forest in a position to make the NCAA Tournament.

The Demon Deacons currently rank No. 34 nationally according to KenPom.

That’s despite starting the season with a ranking of No. 105.

Wake Forest is now 16-4 overall and 6-3 in ACC play. That puts the Demon Deacons just half game back of the conference leaders, Florida State (6-2) and Miami (6-2).

Wake Forest faces Boston College on Monday.