North Carolina has suffered all six of its losses on the road, including two straight lopsided losses, but the Tar Heels returned home to stop the bleeding with a 78-68 victory over Virginia Tech. (1\/24)<\/p>\n
All five UNC starters finished in double figures with Caleb Love leading the way with 22 points. He didn’t shoot particularly well from the floor, going five of 14, but he hit nine of 11 free throws. <\/p>\n
“It was a tough week last week but I’m proud of our guys for bouncing back,” UNC coach Hubert Davis said. “It was a regular conference game with things going up and down throughout the game.” <\/p>\n
Carolina started the game hot, running out to a 17-6 lead over the first seven minutes. But the Hokies, behind three threes from three different players, went on a 15-2 run to take a 21-19 lead.<\/p>\n
The lead went back and forth until Love tied it on a free throw after a VT hanging on the rim technical and then Love hit a step-back three to put Carolina up 33-30.<\/p>\n
Down 37-33 at the half, Virginia Tech scored the first five points of the second half to go back on top 38-37. <\/p>\n
The Tar Heels came back with a 10-2 run of their own ending with a rare Leaky Black three from the left corner to give the Heels a 47-40 lead.<\/p>\n
Carolina let the Hokies back in it after going one of 14 from the floor and going 12 minutes between Tar Heel baskets.<\/p>\n
Up just 54-52, Carolina got a big three pointer by transfer Brady Manek. A Manek dunk follow, a couple of free throws from Love and a Manek three put the Heels back in control at 65-54 with 3:44 to go.<\/p>\n
Virginia Tech, now 2-6 in the ACC, never got closer than eight the rest of the way. Keve Aluma led the Hokies with 19.<\/p>\n
Joining Love in scoring for the Heels were Manek and R.J. Davis with 15 each, Armando Bacot with 14 and Black with 10.<\/p>\n
North Carolina, now 13-6 and 5-3 in the ACC, hosts Boston College Wednesday night. The Tar Heels were playing without Damon Garcia, who went back home to be with an ailing relative. <\/p>\n