UNC Basketball: Luke Maye’s career night helps lead Tar Heels past Boston College

UNC regroups and beats Boston College backed by a career night from Luke Maye

After a bad week in which the North Carolina Tar Heels dropped both of their road games at Florida State and Virginia, they rebounded in a big way.

And let’s put an emphasis on rebounded.

UNC made it look easy against Boston College on Tuesday night in the Dean E. Smith Center, getting back on track with a 96-66 win.

Before the game, head coach Roy Williams made a change in the Tar Heels starting lineup going small. Instead of their usual lineup, Williams replaced center Garrison Brooks and went with Joel Berry, Kenny Williams, Cameron Johnson, Theo Pinson and Luke Maye.

It paid off.

The Tar Heels fell behind 6-2 but used a 14-1 run to take the lead and never looked back.

Their effort was led by the  junior forward Maye who scored a career high 32 points and grabbed 18 rebounds in the win. It was the type of response UNC fans hoped to see from the team and players like Maye.

UNC took a 50-35 lead into halftime as the energy level was through the roof for the team in the first half.

The Eagles came out shooting hot in the second half, cutting the lead down to just 8 points a few minutes in.

But the Tar Heels regrouped and eventually stretched the lead back out to double-digits and eventually winning by 30.

Outside of Maye, the story of the game was UNC dominating on the boards.

The Tar Heels outrebounded Boston College 58-23 and that led to several second chances and run outs.

Four of UNC’s five starters finished in double-digits,. Joining Maye was Joel Berry with 13 points, Cameron Johnson with 14 and Kenny Williams with 10. Theo Pinson finished with 8 on the game.

For Boston College, Ky Bowman led them with 21 points and Jerome Robinson added 15.

Player of the game

This one is a no-brainer.

Maye had a career night in helping UNC get to 2-2 in ACC play this season. He was hot from the start, scoring 6 of UNC’s first 8 points and he didn’t cool down.

The forward hit back-to-back threes in the first half and received a standing ovation from the Tar Heel faithful.

He had 21 of his 32 points in the first half.

Maye dominated on the boards as well, grabbing those 18 rebounds and helping UNC get second chances.

Stat of the game

The Tar Heels outrebounded the Eagles 58-23 but that’s not our stat of the game. Instead, we go to the production UNC had on the glass.

Boston College had a total of 23 rebounds for the game, while UNC grabbed 23 offensive rebounds alone.

That’s how you win games, folks.

What’s next?

UNC is looking to get over .500 in ACC play since they started 1-0 with a win over Wake Forest.

They will hit the road again on Saturday for a trip to South Bend to take on Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish are currently 3-0 in the ACC but are without Bonzie Colson.