North Carolina, playing with some adversity, got a season-high 27 points from R.J. Davis, 22 of which came in the second half, to rally from six down in the second half to defeat Wake Forest 88-79 at home. (1/4)
The Tar Heels were playing without starter Pete Nance, who went out with an ongoing back issue fewer than two minutes into the game. Replacement Jalen Washington quickly picked up three fouls.
“It’s important for us to dig deeper – there are times when you’re met with adversity,” UNC coach Hubert Davis said. “You just have to dig deeper and play.”
The lift Carolina needed in the first half came from Leaky Black, who had 14 points in the half including three triples over the span of just three minutes. Coach Davis pointed more to Black’s defense in the second half when the Tar Heels really took advantage of Wake turnovers.
Black, who finished with a career-high 18 points, had three steals and played locked down defense in the second half.
Carolina made eight turnovers in the first half but only committed one in the second half, turning the tide on Wake. The Tar Heels scored 32 points off 15 Deacon turnovers, most of which came in the second half.
Wake, leading 38-37 at the half, started the second half hot, hitting eight of its first 10 shots to go up 58-52.
After narrowing the lead to one at 64-63, the Heels went on a 7-0 run highlighted by an Armando Bacot steal followed by a Davis three that made it 70-64 with just more than eight minutes to play.
Carolina extended the margin to eight at 75-67 when Caleb Love, who had a dreadful shooting night, came up big with a three from the top of the key.
Davis hit a step-back three from the right corner to make it 84-75 with 3:37 to go. It never got closer than seven the rest of the way as Carolina got its largest lead of 88-77 on a Black steal and slam dunk with seconds left.
Wake Forest, now 10-5 overall and 2-2 in the ACC, was led by Damari Monsanto’s 17 points.
Bacot added 21 points to Davis’ team-leading 27 and Black’s 18 while Seth Trimble came off the beach for a career-high 11 points on a four-for-four performance.
Carolina, now 10-5 overall and 2-2 in the conference, plays at home again Saturday at 11:30 a.m. against Notre Dame.
For a box score and more on the game, please click here.