North Carolina freshman Walker Kessler, forced into extended play due to UNC foul trouble, responded with 20 points to lead the Tar Heels to perhaps a tournament-clinching comeback over 11th-ranked Florida State 78-70 in Chapel Hill. (2/27)

After laying an egg against Marquette in a game with no fans, about 3,000 fans were allowed into the Smith Center to cheer on the Heels as they fought back from a 16-point deficit.

“I wanted to bounce back desperately,” said UNC Coach Roy Williams, who earned his 900th coaching victory with the win. “That was the best 3200-3400 crowd I’ve seen in my life. They helped us win the game.”

Still down by 12 at the half after turning over the ball 14 times and shooting just 25 percent, the Tar Heels came out of the lockerroom on fire with the 7-foot-1 Kessler making the second-half start over Armando Bacot, who was saddled with three fouls and no points.

In less than three minutes, the Tar Heels went on a 10-0 run, highlighted by six points from Kessler, to pull within a bucket at 41-39.

Carolina tied it on a Leaky Black jumper and then took the lead at 46-44 on a Kessler dunk.

The lead went back and forth for about four minutes but after Bacot scored his first points of the game to put the Heels up 52-50 with 11:46 to play, the home team never trailed again.

It stayed close but the Tar Heels did something they don’t normally do that allowed them a cushion down the stretch – they hit free throws. In fact, Carolina hit every free throw in the second half, including 10 in the last 2:15 to salt it away.

Not only did the Tar Heels finish by hitting 27 of 30 free throws, but the Heels hit 50 percent of their shots from the floor in the second half and cut their turnovers in half.

Coach Williams has been emphasizing free throw shooting in practice. He said in practice between the Marquette loss and this game, each player shot 300 free throws and no one hit less than 83 percent of them with seven players hitting over 90 percent.

“You get confident making free throws when there’s a little heat,” Coach Williams said adding that players who miss free throws at practice get in some extra running.

But Coach Williams saved his biggest praise for Kessler, whose playing time has been increasing even before Bacot’s foul trouble. “Walker was huge for us,” he said. “Just sensational.”

Kessler not only hit nine of 10 shots for 20 points but he pulled down eight rebounds, blocked four shots and even picked up a steal.

“He’s a great kid. He cares so much that he beats himself up,” Coach Williams said. “The guys found him around the basket and he’s a great finisher. I’m happy as I can be for him.”

Unless the team falls apart in the last two games of the regular season and in the ACC tournament, this win over the top team in the ACC likely clinches a spot in the NCAA Tournament next month.

UNC improves to 15-8 and 9-5 in the ACC while Florida State, led by Raiquan Gray’s 17 points, fall to to 14-4 overall and 10-3 in the conference.

The Tar Heels travel to Syracuse Monday night before finishing out the regular season next Saturday hosting Duke.

For a box score and more on the game, please click here.