After a sobering lost to rival Duke three days earlier that had some UNC fans swearing at and swearing off the Tar Heels and had some “experts” predicting the end for Coach Roy Williams, the Tar Heels dominated a strong Miami team 96-71 to reclaim sole possession of first in the ACC. (2/20)
The Tar Heels made nine of 20 three-point attempts after going one of 13 against the Blue Devils. And six Tar Heels scored in double figures, led by Brice Johnson’s 16 and Justin Jackson’s 15.
“We caught them on an afternoon when things were going really well for us and not so well for them,” UNC coach Roy Williams said. “Early in the second half, we made a bunch of shots in a row and I told the guys in the locker room I was happy about that, but I told them I was really pleased because I thought defensively we were more involved – everybody.”
Carolina shot 54 percent and led by as many as 38 points. Defensively, the Heels held the Hurricanes to about 35 percent until the Canes hit nine of the last 11 shots to get to 42 percent when the Heels were substituting freely.
”This one had a little more oomph to it because we did lose to Duke and it hurt a lot,” said Johnson, who had 15 rebounds. ”We just had to put that behind us and be able to move on.”
The game was actually tied seven times early but the Tar Heels went on a 15-3 run to take a commanding 30-18 after Jackson hit a three with 7:05 left in the first half.
Ahead 42-33 at the half, the Tar Heels went on another run early in the second half to all but erase any chance of a Miami comeback. Nate Britt capped a 16-2 run in the first five minutes of the second half with a three pointer to make it 58-35.
Carolina didn’t take its foot off the accelerator until the final five minutes of the game once the Heels had the margin up to 38 at 88-50.
Miami, 21-5 overall and 10-4 in the ACC, had won five straight and were tied with the Tar Heels for first before the game.
The Tar Heels, who travel to NC State Wednesday, now have sole possession of first with an 11-3 record in the ACC and a 21-5 overall mark.
For more on the game, including a box score, please click here.