North Carolina snapped a seven-game slide and swept the season series against rival N.C. State after defeating the Pack 85-79 at home.<\/p>\n
The Tar Heels have now won 26 of the last 29 matchups against State. It took free throw shooting by Garrison Brooks to win this one.<\/p>\n
The Heels, and especially Brooks, have had trouble at the line this season – notably in several close losses this season. But Brooks, who led all scorers with 30 points, went eight of eight from the foul line over the last 3:44.<\/p>\n
Brooks hit six in the last 41 seconds as the State players were targeting him for the foul line. The Wolfpack couldn’t get any closer than three down the stretch.<\/p>\n
“I’m as happy as I can be for our team,” UNC coach Roy Williams said. “It’s good to see our guys celebrating in the locker room.”<\/p>\n
It didn’t start out well for the Tar Heels, however, as the Wolfpack raced out to a 10-0 lead. Carolina didn’t lead until Brooks hit a turnaround jumper with under a minute left in the first half that put the Heels up 38-37.<\/p>\n
A modest 8-2 run late in the half gave the Heels a 40-37 halftime lead.<\/p>\n
“You hope you can make more runs and longer runs than your opponent,” Brooks said. “It was just a matter of time before we make plays down the stretch.”<\/p>\n
State came out of the halftime locker room on fire, going on a 15-3 run, culminating with a D.J. Funderburk fastbreak bucket, which put the visitors up 52-45.<\/p>\n
But the Heels went on a 15-2 run that put them up 60-54 midway through the second half. The Wolfpack never caught up as Carolina got the lead up to double digits for the first time at 66-56 after Cole Anthony whipped a pass to Brooks, who scored, was fouled and hit the free throw.<\/p>\n
Over a two-minute period during the run, Christian Keeling scored seven of his season-high 16 points. Anthony finished with 19 points. <\/p>\n
N.C. State, led by Markell Johnson’s 21 points, falls to 17-11 overall and 8-9 in the ACC. <\/p>\n
Carolina, now 11-17 and 4-13 in the conference, travel to Syracuse Saturday. <\/p>\n