Keeping It Heel
Fansided

UNC Basketball: Tar Heels survive on road vs. Clemson

By Zack Pearson

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 26: (L-R) Sterling Manley #21, Brandon Huffman #42 and Andrew Platek #3 of the North Carolina Tar Heels cheer during their game against the Syracuse Orange at the Dean Smith Center on February 26, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 26: (L-R) Sterling Manley #21, Brandon Huffman #42 and Andrew Platek #3 of the North Carolina Tar Heels cheer during their game against the Syracuse Orange at the Dean Smith Center on February 26, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Tar Heels stay unbeaten on the road after surviving a tough test at Littlejohn against the Clemson Tigers on Saturday

Whew.

It wasn’t pretty at times, specifically the final 1:30 of the game, but the North Carolina Tar Heels survived a scare at Clemson to remain unbeaten on the road in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

The Tar Heels fell behind early and trailed for most of the first half. Clemson grabbed a 25-19 lead with just over 10 minutes left and seemed like they were poised for an upset.

But it was a scary moment near the end of the first half that grabbed the headlines.

With just a few minutes left in the first half, play was halted as UNC head coach Roy Williams went to the ground. Williams had another vertigo episode and had to be taken back to the locker room with some help.

Williams didn’t return to the game and assistant coach Steve Robinson would take over. The Tar Heels used a mini run late in the second half to grab a 39-35 lead at the break as they appeared to get into a groove.

Without Williams, UNC would come out and extend their lead early in the second half before going cold from the field. Garrison Brooks, Coby White and Cam Johnson all hit jumpers to extend UNC’s lead to 46-37 and it looked like the Tar Heels would cruise to a victory.

But then came a cold streak.

There was a point where UNC would miss eight-straight shot attempts, allowing Clemson to get right back into it and even take the lead at 50-48 with 12:41 left. The Tigers had closed the gap and from that point, things would go down to the wire.

UNC would take advantage of some Clemson miscues down the stretch and a Johnson three-pointer gave the Tar Heels a 75-68 lead with 2:16. The seven-point lead seemed like enough, especially after Clemson missed a three-point attempt and UNC would grab a defensive and offensive rebound.

With UNC holding possession and a seven-point lead, things got a little too tight. A Clemson steal with 1:14 left cut the lead down to five. After another UNC bucket, the lead was extended to seven again.  But Clemson fought back.

The Tigers cut the lead down to just one with 10 seconds left and after Kenny Williams split the free throws, Clemson had a chance to tie it. UNC’s defense would prevail as White and Brooks forced a turnover with just a few seconds left and the Tar Heels escaped with a narrow victory.

This win helps UNC keep pace with Virginia, who beat Pitt on Saturday, for first-place atop the ACC standings. With two games to go, UNC still has a chance for a No. 1 seed and the opportunity to win the conference. ‘

Player of the Game

Despite a poor final two minutes, White still had a really good game and finished with 28 points in the win. The freshman continues to come up big for the Tar Heels but there are some things he does need to work on and late-game execution is up there.

Stat of the Game

The win was No. 14 on the year in ACC play, marking the 11th time the program has accomplished that feat. What is more impressive is that UNC has won 14 games in 3 of the past 4 seasons.

What’s next?

Another road game at Boston College is up next for the Tar Heels on Tuesday. It will be the final road game of the year as the Tar Heels have the chance to go unbeaten on the road in conference play.

Home/UNC Basketball