North Carolina ran out to a 26-6 lead over rival Duke and was never really threatened as the Tar Heels end the regular season with an impressive 91-73 win on Senior Night. (3\/6) <\/p>\n
“I was pleased to win a game on Senior Day – it’s always extremely important to me,” UNC coach Roy Williams said. “We’re as happy as we can be.”<\/p>\n
He was especially happy for the four seniors who started the game. One of them – Walker Miller – hasn’t played much this season after getting a lot of playing time last season. But Coach Williams credited him with setting the tone early as he drew a charge in the first minute – firing up the team and the 3,200 fans allowed in the Smith Center.<\/p>\n
Normally only one of the senior starts – Garrison Brooks – and he scored 14 points including a pair of three pointers from the big guy. <\/p>\n
Brooks, who injured an ankle after scoring the first points of the game, highlighted a 15-2 run early with a three-point swish from the corner, right in front of the Duke bench, as the shot clock expired. <\/p>\n
That run put the Heels in command at 26-6 midway through the first half. <\/p>\n
“Roy had his team really prepared,” Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said. “I think Senior Night contributed and the fans were great.”<\/p>\n
He said Carolina’s high level of intensity translated to outstanding defense that knocked his team back a bit.<\/p>\n
“They were excellent and we weren’t very good and that’s on me,” Coach K said. “They are a well-rounded team that keeps coming at you with fresh players.”<\/p>\n
Carolina extended its led to 22 at 40-18 after a 7-0 run which was composed of a Kerwin Walton cross-over move three-pointer, a Caleb Love jumper in the lane and a Brooks bank shot. <\/p>\n
Up by 16 at the half, Carolina never saw its lead dip below 13 points. After a Matthew Hurt three from the top of the key cut the margin to 14 at 54-40, the Tar Heels went on a 12-2 run that quelled any hopes the Blue Devils had of coming back. A Brooks three, also from the top of the key, gave UNC its largest lead of the game at 66-42 with just over 10 minutes to play.<\/p>\n
The Tar Heels hit 55 percent of its field goals, including eight of 18 beyond the arc, and hit 21 of 26 free throws.<\/p>\n
While Coach K credited Carolina defense, Coach Williams said Duke helped his team out by missing some shots they’d normally hit. “They are a better three-point shooting team than us and they were just five of 27 from three,” Coach Williams said. <\/p>\n
Walton hit four threes himself for Carolina on his way to 18 points. Armando Bacot, who was six of seven from the foul line, and Caleb Love, who had a game-high seven assists, also scored 18 for the Tar Heels. <\/p>\n
Duke, led by Mark Williams’ 18 points, falls to 11-11 overall and 9-9 in the ACC and probably must win the ACC tournament or be in the finale to have a chance of making the NCAA Tournament.<\/p>\n
North Carolina improves to 16-9 overall and 10-6 in the ACC. The Tar Heels, who get a bye as the six seed in the tournament, is now guaranteed a spot in the NCAA Tournament but can improve their seeding, which currently figures to be a 10th seed.<\/p>\n