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CHAPEL HILL, NC – NC State entered the second game against North Carolina with a chance to sweep the season series just four times since Roy Williams returned to Chapel Hill in 2003. Each time the Tar Heels slapped the Wolfpack, and Saturday was no different as Williams’ side built their biggest halftime lead of the season in their 86-76 win at the Dean E. Smith Center.
The Tar Heels (10-5, 5-3 ACC) won for the fifth time in six games before entering their toughest part in the ACC with four road games in their next five. UNC turned in its most efficient half of the season to take a 43-33 lead at halftime and maintained a comfortable double-digit margin until late, when a 7-0 Wolfpack run reduced the score at 72-66 with 4:24 to play. .
The Tar Heels responded with a 14-8 surge over the next 3:48 to secure the win.
Armando Bacot (17 points, 8 rebounds) and Day’Ron Sharpe (16 points, 10 rebounds) alternated to dominate the post, while Caleb Love continued his solid game with 15 points on 6 of 15 shots with five assists despite five turnovers. Anthony Harris and RJ Davis also hit double the numbers, scoring 10 points each. Devon Daniels led the Wolfpack with 21 points on 9 of 16 shots.
UNC has shot 54.4 percent on the season, while NCSU has shot 47.0 percent. The Tar Heels overtook the Wolfpack, 44-30, and managed a 17-12 advantage on second chance points. NC State had a 17-10 point advantage over sales.
Click Offense
In the second half against Wake Forest on Wednesday, the Tar Heels set a record season with 54.8% shooting effort (17 of 31). That peak was short lived as UNC shot 56.8% in the first half against NC State. The Tar Heels scored 43 points from 43 possessions in the first half, which marked their best points per possession in a first half this season.
UNC shot 51.6% after half time to score the first time this season, he shot better than 50% in both halves in a game (only eighth half shooting better than 50%) .
Struggles continue for Brooks
Senior forward Garrison Brooks fouled 1:20 to play with four runs on 2 of 5 shots and four rebounds. The CCA preseason Player of the Year is averaging 9.0 points on 36.8% shots in eight CCA games this season.
A year ago, Brooks led the ACC in points (18.8) and was second in field goal percentage (53.5) in the conference game.
History vs NC status
UNC have won 33 of their last 38 games and 50 of their last 62 games against NC State. Roy Williams improved to 38-5 all-time against the Wolfpack.
The Tar Heels improved to 28-7 against NC State at the Smith Center and have won 16 of their last 18 home games in the series.
Highlight reading
ARMANDO. TOO TALK. REJECTION. pic.twitter.com/6nHT26xUmo
– Trevor William Marks (@twmarks_) 23 January 2021
Injury update
Puff Johnson did not play against the Wolfpack after sustaining a toe injury in practice on Friday. The first year wing wears a protective boot on his right foot.
Sterling Manley also remained in formal attire for the 15th straight game this season. The junior center has missed 48 straight games with a left knee injury.
next
UNC begins a three-game road trip to Pittsburgh on Tuesday (7 p.m. / ACCN). The Panthers (8-2, 4-1 ACC) have built their success on solid defense as they rank second in ACC games for effective defense in field goal percentage (44, 2).
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