UNC's Garrison Brooks led the Tar Heels with 25 points and 11 rebounds. (UNC Athletic Communications)

Carolina guts out big win at NC State

North Carolina, hobbled by injuries and playing at a rival’s home court where N.C. State has won 11 of 12 games this year, gutted out a big 75-65 win over the Wolfpack. (1/27)

UNC’s Brandon Robinson twice went to the lockerroom during the game with different injuries and played through pain, hitting four straight free throws late to wrap up the game.

There were 13 lead changes and three ties in the first half before the Tar Heels got some separation at the end of the first half and the beginning of the second half.

Garrison Brooks scored 17 of his game-high 25 points in the first half, including a put back at the buzzer to give Carolina a 39-35 lead at the break.

UNC coach Roy Williams said the game plan was to get the ball to Brooks as much as possible. State coach Kevin Keatts said of Brooks, “he completely kicked our butt.”

An 8-3 run at the beginning of the second half, which included six points by Brooks, put the Heels up 47-38, the biggest lead for either team at the time.

A bucket by State’s Devon Daniels and a couple by Markell Johnson helped the Wolfpack pull within three points.

A couple of mid-range jumpers by transfer Christian Keeling and a three by transfer Justin Pierce put the Heels back in control. A couple of free throws by Robinson gave Carolina its biggest lead of the game at 63-52 with 8:54 to go.

State didn’t fold however as D.J. Funderburk got loose twice and Daniels once to whittle the lead to just four at 65-61.

UNC’s Andrew Platek hit a long two, passing up a contested three, and later blew by State defenders for a layup on a drive that started at midcourt. That put the Heels up 71-61 and the Wolfpack never threatened again despite the Tar Heels missing five straight free throws.

It was the 12th time in the last 14 games between the two teams that Carolina has come out on top. In fact, it was the 31st time in the last 35 games that has seen the light blue beat the red.

“We caught them on a night that the ball didn’t go down for them,” Coach Williams said. “We got the ball to Garrison and he made enough plays for us.”

Carolina improves to 10-10 and 3-6 in the conference while State, led by Funderburk’s 18 points, falls to 14-7 and 5-5 in the league.

The Tar Heels return home Saturday to play Boston College at 5 p.m.

For a box score and more about the game, please click here.

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