Alabama controlled the game from start to finish as the visitors hit 12 three-pointers and six players scored in double figures and North Carolina fell for the third straight game, 94-79. (12/4)
Carolina got down by double figures midway through the first half and trailed 43-34 at the half. After the Tar Heels pulled within five early in the second half, the Crimson Tide went on a 9-0 run over just 1:41 to put Bama up 52-38.
It never got closer than nine the rest of the way as Alabama worked the lead up to 18 at one point midway through the second half.
UNC coach Hubert Davis mentioned Alabama’s superior size inside as a problem for Carolina’s offense. “We did not have the ability to get to the basket and finish or draw fouls to get to the line,” Coach Davis said. “We just didn’t play well enough to compete against a really good Alabama team.”
Statistically though, Carolina outrebounded Alabama, scored more points in the paint, had more second-chance points and actually had more points off turnovers. But the outside shooting was deadly by Bama and dead by the Heels. The Tide was 12 of 22 from three while UNC was a woeful five of 28 from beyond the arc.
RJ Davis, who had his worst game of the year against Alabama last season when the Heels were eliminated from the NCAA tourney, once again laid an egg against the Tide. Hounded all night, Davis was a mere one of 11 from three and was just seven of 24 overall.
Fellow Carolina guards Seth Trimble and Eliot Cadeau also failed to shine. Trimble was four of 13 from the floor while Cadeau was zero of four with four turnovers.
The brightest spot for the Heels was freshman Ian Jackson, who shot well on his way to a season-high 23 points including three of Carolina’s five threes. He also added five rebounds, two steals and no turnovers.
Ty Claude, who had less than 11 minutes on the court, played with a lot of enthusiasm and effort, finishing with six points (going three of three) and five rebounds.
Mark Sears led Alabama’s six double figure scorers with 20 points. The No. 10 ranked Crimson Tide improves to 7-2.
The Tar Heels, who fall to 4-4 on the season, starts conference play at home Saturday at 2 p.m. against Georgia Tech.