UNC’s RJ Davis, coming off a one of 14 performance, scored a Smith Center record-setting 42 points to lead the Tar Heels to a narrow 75-71 victory at home against Miami. (2/26)

“He put the entire team on his back,” said UNC coach Hubert Davis, who was visably upset that it took such an effort from one player to win the game. “He was unbelieveable on both ends of the floor… There are very few times I’ve seen a peformance like that whether it be here or in the NBA.”

Half of Davis’ 14 baskets were threes but he also came up with four steals and six rebounds. His 42 points were the 10th most by a Tar Heel in a game. The last player to score more was All-America legend Charlie Scott, who scored 43 in 1970.

The Hurricanes, now losers of seven games in a row, stroked 14 three pointers to hang with the Tar Heels.

Back-to-back threes from Davis gave the Heels what seemed like an insurmountable lead at 70-57 with just over four minutes to play.

But the Tar Heels went the rest of the way without scoring another field goal and they missed five straight free throws down the stretch.

Meanwhile, Miami went on an 11-0 run – which included three triples – over a two-minute period to pull within a basket at 72-70.

Davis hit three of four free throws before missing those five in a row. It took Jae’lyn Withers, who rebounded a missed free throw from Seth Trimble, to wrap up the game with a pair of free thows with less than three seconds to go for the four-point final margin.

No other Tar Heel besides Davis scored in double figures; however, Armando Davis got 12 rebounds while Harrison Ingram had 10 boards.

Miami, now 15-14 and 6-12 in the ACC, was led by Norchad Omier’s 22 points and Bensley Joseph’s career-high 21 points. The pair hit nine of Miami’s 14 threes.

The Tar Heels, who host N.C. State Saturday at 4 p.m., improve to 22-6 and 14-3 in the ACC.

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