North Carolina’s RJ Davis continued his hot streak with 23 points to lead the Tar Heels over turnover-prone No. 7 Oklahoma 81-69 in Charlotte. (12/20)

Davis, who has scored at least 23 points in six straight games, led four Tar Heels in double figures. Armando Bacot had 14 points while Ryan Cormac scored 13 and Harrison Ingram, saddled with foul trouble, added 11.

“This was an important game for us,” UNC coach Hubert Davis said. “We had lost our last two games and we wanted to get back on track. They are a good basketball team that deserves to be where they are.”

The Sooners rose to No. 7 in the rankings after winning all 10 of their previous games. It was not only the first loss of the season but it was the lowest point output for Oklahoma, who trailed by as many as 15 points. The Sooners also shot only 40 percent.

Much of that was due to a stingy Carolina defense who had 10 steals, six blocks and forced 18 turnovers that led to 24 Tar Heel points.

Coach Davis said his squad did a good job denying Oklahoma from scoring in the paint. The Sooners, who never led, made a run late, cutting a 15-point deficit to just five with three minutes to play. During that stretch, Oklahoma scored on six straight possessions which included three three-pointers.

The Tar Heels responded with an 8-2 run to wrap it up. The highlight was an off-balanced bank shot from the left side at the end of the shot clock by Ingram.

Carolina got off to a hot start getting up by double figures at 12-2 in the first five minutes. Davis scored eight of those 12 to set the tone.

Up 36-28 at the half, the Heels extended the margin to 12 after Davis used a screen to bang in a three to make it 44-32.

The lead hovered in the nine to 12-point range for the next 10 minutes until Jalen Washington slammed home a dunk follow to put Carolina in control at 63-48.

Otega Oweh led the Sooners with 23 points as Oklahoma falls to 10-1.

The Tar Heels, now 8-3, head to the Christmas break before hosting Charleston Southern Dec. 29 at 8 p.m.

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