Brandon Robinson returned to court for the first time this season to provide a boost with three threes and 12 points as North Carolina got past Alabama 76-67 to advance in the Battle of Atlantis Tournament in the Bahamas.
He wasn’t the leading scorer – Garrison Brooks took that honor with 20 points, including 16 in the first half. But Robinson provided a deep-ball threat, hitting a three for the first basket of the game.
The game was tied three times in the first half but Alabama never led. Another three by Robinson gave Carolina a 33-30 lead, which the Heels never relinquished.
Up 37-31 at the half, the Tar Heels went on a 14-5 run in the first six minutes of the second half to gain control at 51-36. A couple of buckets by freshman Armando Bacot, including a steal and dunk, and back-to-back baskets by Leaky Black highlighted the stretch.
The Bama deficit didn’t get down to single digits until the last minute and a half of the game.
“It felt great to finally be able to get out there again… I was missing it,” said Robinson, a senior leader. “I was just shooting the shots that I work on every day.”
Even though Robinson added six rebounds during his 26 minutes of play, UNC coach Roy Williams was a little luke-warm about his performance. “He helps us in every phase of the game,” Coach Williams said. “We’re a better team with him in there but he can play better.”
We’ve seen freshman Cole Anthony, who was frustrated with a slippery court and the officials, play better. Anthony did score 13 points but it took 13 shots for him to get them.
Bacot was the fourth Tar Heel to score in double figures as he accomplished another double-double with 12 points and 15 rebounds.
Rebounding was the key to Carolina’s ability to break open a close game as the Heels outrebounded Bama 59-31.
“It wasn’t the prettiest game I’ve ever watched,” Coach Williams said. “The advantage on the backboards and second-shot opportuniites were huge for us.”
Carolina shot just 41 percent while Alabama shot just 38 percent. John Petty Jr. led the way for Alabama, now 2-3, with 23 points.
The Tar Heels, now 5-0, play Michigan in the championship game at 1:30 p.m. Thursday.
For a box score and more on the game, please click here.
