2024-11-09 12:30:02
“They were running their offense like they did in shoot around,” Hubert Davis said. “They were getting threes. They were getting layups. They were getting dunks.”
North Carolina got off to a quick start in the second half, with a jumper from Davis and three-point play from Trimble. Meanwhile, UNC upped its defensive intensity, getting key stops and forcing Kansas into tough shots to cut the Kansas lead to nine.
A 3-pointer from Withers from the corner followed by a Washington put-back slam brought the Tar Heels within six. Both North Carolina and Kansas continued to trade buckets early in the second half, but Kansas maintained a steady 10 point lead. Hubert Davis consistently rotated players in order to create favorable matchups for UNC as it tried to cut the deficit.
Following back-to-back fouls that put Jackson and Trimble on the free throw line, the Tar Heels cut the Jayhawk lead to 77-72 with nine minutes remaining. Then, Withers drilled a three from the corner, cutting the Kansas lead to just two.
North Carolina took its first lead of the game since it was up 7-2 following back-to-back buckets from Withers. Kansas and UNC continued to trade the lead with just under six minutes remaining in the half. A Lubin layup forced the Jayhawks to call a timeout down 84-81.
Up by two and with the ball, Withers passed it out of bounds. On the ensuing possession, Kansas had a triple roll in and out. However, a foul on Cadeau gave Kansas two shots from the charity stripe and to tie the game.
Kansas took the lead on a Dickinson layup with just over a minute remaining, and Hubert Davis took a timeout. Washington missed a triple from the corner right in front of UNC’s bench, and then Dickinson was sent to the line after a foul on Trimble with 12 seconds remaining.
“We showed that we can climb back and it took all 15 guys in that locker room,” RJ Davis said.
The Tar Heels return to action on November 15 against American at the Dean E. Smith Center. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m.
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