CHAPEL HILL, NC – It’s been a blow to Wake Forest for North Carolina for much longer than it was supposed to be Wednesday night, but it’s UNC basketball in 2020-21. The Tar Heels pulled away late from the unlucky Demon Deacons to secure an 80-73 victory and their fourth victory in five games.
UNC stumbles through the first half of the game before setting its attacking rhythm until halftime. The Tar Heels converted 11-of-17 goal-scoring attempts over a stretch of 12 minutes and 30 seconds that stretched halftime to turn a five-point deficit into a 45-35 lead. The Demon Deacons, without a lack of talent but not toughness, responded with an 18-8 run and drew the game at 53-53 with 10:12 left.
UNC closed again strongly and tried to run away from seven of its last 10 goals for its twelfth victory in 14 tries against the Tobacco Road rival.
Caleb Love scored a career-high 20 points on 7-of-12 shots to lead the Tar Heels, while Armando Bacot scored an effective 18-point score on 8-of-10 shooting. RJ Davis scored 13 points and Garrison Brooks added 10 points and seven rebounds.
Despite shooting nine halves for the sixth time in the first half for less than 40 percent, UNC shot 54.8 percent after halftime to finish at 46.8 percent for the game. Wake Forest shot 39.0 percent from the floor and 38.2 percent from the 3-point range (13-of-34).
UNC outscored their opponent, 38-36, although the visiting team had an 18-9 lead in the second-half points.
Turnover work in favor of UNC
The Tar Heels are 14 games into the season and still have a negative relationship between their assist turnover, but the difference is slowly evaporating. UNC picked up 18 assistants at 12 turnovers on Wednesday, the fourth time in five games that the ratio was favorable.
By reducing misconduct while forcing it on defense, the Tar Heels were able to create a 24-15 lead in points of turnover.
Note
UNC has now, for the first time in program history, played seven consecutive ACC matches that have been decided by seven points or less.
Harris Impact
After Anthony Harris made his Florida State debut Saturday, he played fewer minutes with less impact against Wake Forest. The red-brown first-year guard misses his only field goal attempt and adds a rebound and an assist in six minutes of action.
Harris had a plus / minus of negative-8 after making plus / minus contributions of plus-10 or better in his previous four games.
First 25
UNC’s first 25 possessions were not at heart. The tar heels scored on eight possessions, averaging 0.6 points per possession, while achieving just as much turnover as baskets (6). Despite missing out on as many layups (2-6) as 3 points (0-4), UNC was only 18-15 behind due to six points from seven Wake Forest turnovers.
Following
UNC will host its first homeland of the season when NC State arrives on Saturday for a 14:00 (ESPN) tip. The Wolfpack have drawn three games after starting the season with six wins in their first seven games, which includes a 79-76 victory over the Tar Heels on December 22nd.