With Cole Anthony and Leaky Black out injured, North Carolina hoped the magic of playing at Carmichael Arena might be a lift. But Wofford drained in 14 three-pointers and went on a 16-0 run in the second half to defeat the Tar Heels 68-64. (12/15)
It was the third loss in a row for a UNC team that has struggled to score points. And now, with their leading scorer out indefinitely, it didn’t get any better.
Leading 36-32 at the half, Carolina shot just 32 percent from the floor and was equally inept from the free throw line (12 of 20).
The Tar Heels tried to use their superior height to combat the Terriers’ three pointers. But Armando Bacot, who was a force on the boards with 13 rebounds, couldn’t put it in the hoop, going just two of 14 from the field.
Carolina led 42-39 after Christian Keeling hit a long two pointer with 15:20 left in the game. But the Tar Heels went more than six minutes without another point as Wofford took control of the game scoring 16 straight points, 12 of which were from beyond the arc.
The Tar Heels cut the deficit to six at 55-49 with just over seven minutes to play but they committed back-to-back turnovers and fouled a jump shooter who hit three free throws to go back up by nine.
UNC’s Andrew Platek hit a three from the right wing with 3:09 to go to cut the margin to four at 62-58. But Wofford’s Trevor Stumpe, who led all scorers with 19 points, promptly drained a three of his own and it never got closer than four again.
On top of the two key injuries, it was announced that Sterling Manley, who hasn’t played yet this season, will have season-ending surgery on his knee.
Carolina started K.J. Smith, who normally only plays at mop-up time, because of the Anthony injury. But, even with all the adversity, UNC coach Roy Williams said, “It still says NC on our shirt. I didn’t do a good enough job.”
Brandon Robinson had the best scoring day of his career with 16 points even though he shot just 33 percent from the field.
Wofford moves to 7-4 on the season.
North Carolina, now 6-4 overall, was led by Garrison Brooks’ 17 points. The Heels will be underdogs Wednesday against Gonzaga.
For a box score and more on the game, please click here.