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Tigers hit 12 threes to easily beat UNC

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North Carolina put up little resistance as a good Clemson team did whatever it wanted, including hitting 12 three pointers, to easily defeat the Tar Heels 85-65 in Littlejohn Auditorium. (2/10)

For the first 10 minutes of the game, Carolina stood toe-to-toe with the Tigers, fresh off a victory over first-place Duke. In fact, the Heels held a 23-21 lead with 9:22 left in the first half after RJ Davis side-stepped a defender and swished a three from the left wing.

But, Clemson’s Viktor Lakhin, a 6-foot-11 transfer from Cincinnati, hit one of his four threes on the way to 20 first-half points to give the Tigers a 24-23 lead that they would never reliquish.

The Tar Heels shot 50 percent in the first half and still trailed by 16 at the half as Clemson went on runs of 11-2 and 9-0 to break it open before the break.

“We were up in the first half and then they just took off,” UNC coach Hubert Davis said. “Lahkin got hot from three. We knew he had the ability to hit threes but that was the most he made all year.”

Lakhin, who had 15 threes all season, hit four in the first half and finished with a game-high 22 points and five blocks.

Coach Davis also pointed to turnovers and bad shot selection as reasons for the defeat. Both teams ended up turning the ball over 13 times but most of Clemson came late when UNC frantic, scrambling defense forced some turnovers. Many of Carolina’s turnovers were unforced and the offensive engine – guard Eliott Cadeau – committed six of them.

The 20-point defeat was the largest loss to Clemson in Carolina basketball history. The Tar Heels, led by Davis’ 18 points, fall to 14-11 overall and 7-6 in the ACC.

“There’s a responsibility with that jersey on to get back up and competitively fight,” Coach Davis said.

Carolina travels to Syracuse Saturday evening before hosting NC State Feb. 19.

Clemson, tied for second in the ACC, improves to 20-5 and 12-2 in the league.

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