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CHAPEL HILL, NC – North Carolina snapped a 10-game losing streak against AP-ranked opponents with an inspiring second-half performance on Saturday, dropping from a 16-point deficit to No. 11 in the state of Florida, 78-70, for his biggest win of the season.
If the Tar Heels (15-8, 9-5 ACC) were at their worst in the first half, committing 14 turnovers and shooting 25%, then they were certainly at their best after halftime. UNC beat the Seminoles, 30-11, to open the second half and build their biggest lead at 59-52. The Tar Heels forced 12 turnovers and held the ACC’s top team 35.0 percent in the second half to wrap up a week-long rollercoaster and seal their invitation to the NCAA tournament.
FSU reduced their deficit to 61-59 with 5:03 to go, but Kerwin Walton responded with a 3 pointer five seconds later and the Tar Heels made all their free throws to secure the victory. UNC shot 27 of 30 from the charity strip, including a 14 of 14 effort in the second half.
The Tar Heels shot 50% after halftime and 38.3% for the game (21.7% 3FG), while keeping the Seminoles at 38.8% (29.4% 3FG).
The Tar Heels trailed 41-29 at halftime, making the comeback the fifth-largest halftime deficit to be overcome in a win in Smith Center history. It was the biggest halftime comeback at home for UNC since the 13-point deficit rally against Georgia Tech on February 15, 2006.
Kessler breakthrough
The rebirth of UNC at the end of the first half coincided with Walker Kessler’s insertion into the roster. The 7-foot freshman has been the best player on the pitch from that point on as he set career highs with 20 points on 9 of 10 shots, eight rebounds and four blocked shots.
His game was a significant development as forwards Garrison Brooks, Armando Bacot and Day’Ron Sharpe combined for 13 points on 3 of 7 shots.
N ° 900 for Roy Williams
The Hall of Fame head coach won his 900th career game in his 500th career home game on Saturday. Williams is 900-260 in 33 seasons as a head coach and now has two unsurpassed wins Bobby Knight for third place on the all-time winning list. He won 900 games faster than any of the three coaches who have reached that benchmark.
The 18th-year UNC head coach rose to 443-57 all-time at home, including a 242-41 mark at Chapel Hill.
Cancellation of turnover
UNC’s 14 pre-halftime turnovers represent the most turnovers in a half this season (13 vs. Stanford, 2H) and the most consistent since his 15-time first-half engagement at Georgia Tech on the 16th. February 2010. FSU scored 19 points on those turnovers building a 41-29 halftime lead.
But it was the turn of the Seminoles in the second half. FSU had more turnovers (12) than field goals (11) after halftime, which brought UNC closer.
For the game, UNC scored 15 points on 17 FSU turnovers. The Seminoles scored 25 points out of 21 UNC turnovers.
Highlight reading
?? dunks are good shots pic.twitter.com/UQ2JRgLukc
– Dadgum box scores (@dadgumboxscores) February 27, 2021
Return of the fans
North Carolina Executive Order 195 allowed limited fan return this weekend, as indoor arenas with at least 5,000 seats would have a capacity of 15%. This equates to roughly 3,200 fans at the Dean E. Smith Center. With 75% of that total coming from the student lottery system, the Tar Heels had a real edge on the court for the first time this season.
following
UNC returns to the road after a four-game home stand with a trip to Syracuse on Monday (7 p.m. / ESPN). The Oranges lost two in a row to drop to 13-8 (7-7 ACC) at the start of the last week of the regular season.
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