North Carolina, despite all five starters scoring in double figures for the first time this season, could not pull away from a hot-shooting Portland team until hitting free throws late to get past the Pilots 89-81 in the Phil Knight Invitational. (11/24)
Pete Nance’s 28 points led the way for Carolina, who took a lead with just over four minutes to go and didn’t relinquish it again as the Heels hit eight of their last 10 free throws.
“In the second half when we need to respond, we did,” UNC coach Hubert Davis said. “Pete is an unbelievable player. I’m so thankful that he’s with us.”
Down 75-73, Leaky Black hit a three from the left corner to give the Heels a 76-75 lead with 4:15 to go. The lead had changed hands 13 times until that shot.
The lead seemed shaky since the Tar Heels had missed five free throws in a row until the late hot hand from the free throw line. Carolina, which led by as many as 10 points in the first half, got its biggest lead of the second half at 83-76 on a pair of free throws by R.J. Davis.
Portland’s 12th three cut the margin to 84-81 with 51 seconds left but Davis came through at the end of the shot clock with a long two to put Crolina up 86-81 with 28 seconds left. That and three free throws wrapped up the scoring.
Carolina – or more precisely Caleb Love – started out hot as long scored 12 points in the first seven minutes to roll out to an 18-8 lead. But the Pilots went on a 10-0 run in less than three minutes and it stayed close the rest of the way.
The Tar Heels led 40-38 at the half but Portland came out of the lockerroom hot. Tyler Robertson, who UNC’s Black had contained in the first half, hit a pair of threes to put the Pilots up 53-48 for Portland’s biggest lead of the game.
The Tar Heels didn’t take the lead again until Nance stroked a three after Love penetrated and pushed it back out to him. That made it 66-64 with 9:51 left, setting up the tight finish.
“We made enough plays down the stretch,” said Nance, who scored 20 in the second half. “All credit goes to my teammates. They found me in my spots. I practice those shots and fortunately they were going in today.”
Joining Nance in double figures were Love with 23, including 16 in the first half, Davis with 13, Bacot with 13 and Black with 11. The Tar Heels only got three points off the bench.
Carolina, 5-0, plays Iowa State or Villanoca in the holiday tournament Friday at 5:30 p.m., which conflicts with the UNC-NC State football game.
For a box score and more on the game, please click here.