North Carolina held down one of the ACC’s best scorers defensively and got up and down the court offensively to defeat Cal 79-53 at home. (1/15)
The solid effort from the Tar Heels started early as they took the lead at 5-4 on a three by freshman Ian Jackson from the left side and they never trailed again.
“We put a big emphasis on defense and tonight it showed,” Jackson said. Andrej Stojakovic, who averages more than 20 points a game including 24 points a game in ACC contests, was held to just six points as he was hounded by Tar Heel defenders all night.
“We were locked in defensively on Stojakovic,” UNC coach Hubert Davis said. “He’s so talented and can score and gets to the free throw line but we defended him without fouling.”
In fact, Cal shot only five free throws all night as Carolina committed nine fouls before intentionally fouling to get substitutions in the game at the end.
Carolina, which led by as many as 11 in the first half, held a comfortable 39-29 advantage at the break and, after Cal closed to within six early in the second half, went on a 15-0 run to open it up.
Seth Trimble, who had his best game since coming back from a head injury, scored in transition to give Carolina a 65-41 lead with 6:55 to go. The largest lead of the game came late when Jackson scored on a fastbreak layup for a 77-50 lead.
“I was much more aggressive and assertive tongiht,” said Trimble, who scored 12 points. “It was all rhythm for me so everything was back for me.”
Jackson led Carolina with 20 points while Eliot Cadeau had 15.
Mady Sissoko was a bright spot for Cal as he led the team with 16 points, with most baskets coming after one of his eight rebounds. The Golden Bears fall to 8-9 overall and 1-5 in the ACC.
The Tar Heels, who host Stanford Saturday afternoon at 2:15 p.m., are now on a four-game win streak and improve to 12-6 overall and 5-1 in the conference.