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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The Bama deficit didn’t get down to single digits until the last minute and a half of the game.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
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.”<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Bacot was the fourth Tar Heel to score in double figures as he accomplished another double-double with 12 points and 15 rebounds.<\/p>\n
Rebounding was the key to Carolina’s ability to break open a close game as the Heels outrebounded Bama 59-31.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The Tar Heels, now 5-0, play Michigan in the championship game at 1:30 p.m. Thursday.<\/p>\n