North Carolina, playing its last game in Chapel Hill until next year, put on a show for the home fans as 13 Tar Heels scored in a 100-67 romp over The Citadel. (12/13)
Carolina led just 26-25 after nearly 13 minutes as The Citadel hit four threes over a three-minute period. But the visitors missed eight straight threes while the Tar Heels hit the gas, outscoring the Bulldogs 22-8 the rest of the half to take a commanding 48-33 lead into the lockerroom.
During that stretch, UNC’s Pete Nance hit a pair of threes while R.J. Davis and seldom-used Dontrez Styles drained one each.
The Tar Heels were unselfish with assists on 24 of the 32 fields. Caleb Love was the Heels leading scorer with 17 but he also had a season-high six assists to lead the team.
“We were sound defensively, especially after the first 10 minutes,” UNC coach Hubert Davis said. “On the offensive end, we ran the floor and made the extra pass.”
Freshman Tyler Nickel, who played more than 18 minutes, was on the end of a few of those extra passes as he had his biggest game as a Tar Heel with 16 points, including a trio of threes.
“When you move the ball around, it will circle back to you,” said Nickel, who holds the Virginia high school scoring record. “I can create offense when need be. It’s about finding my spots.”
Nance found his spots, hitting five of six of his shots to also score 16 points. Armando Bacot was his consistent self as he accomplished his 55th career double-double in 110 total games as he 14 points and 11 rebounds.
In 15 minutes off the bench, Styles scored nine points and hauled in six rebounds. Six non-starters played six or more minutes.
“A lot of guys saw extended minutes tonight,” Coach Davis said. “Everybody who stepped on the floor made an impact play of some kind.”
A deep bench player, Jackson Watkins, hit a three with time running down to send the Heels to the century mark and putting the crowd into a frenzy.
The Citadel, led by Stephen Clark and Jackson Price who scored 15 each, falls to 5-5 overall.
Carolina, 7-4 overall and 1-1 in the ACC, plays Ohio State in New York’s Madison Square Garden on Saturday afternoon.
For a box score and more on the game, please click here.
