UNC Basketball: Tar Heels survive vs. NC Central

It wasn’t pretty but the UNC Basketball program ended their two-game losing streak on Saturday, surviving against NC Central

The UNC Basketball program avoided a major upset on Saturday afternoon as the No. 16 Tar Heels fought off a feisty NC Central program 73-67.

In a game that wasn’t originally on the schedule and added earlier in the week, the Eagles brought the fight while the Tar Heels were once again sloppy. UNC committed 18 turnovers and made just 2 of their 15 three-point attempts in the game. They needed a second-half spark to take the lead and then hold off a late rally by the Eagles to end their two-game losing streak.

Early on the Eagles shot well after starting 1-of-5 from the field as they actually went on a 15-2 run to take control early on. UNC eventually responded with a run of their own backed by Armando Bacot in the first half. The sophomore scored 15 of his 19 total points in the first half on 4-of-4 shooting from the field and 7-of-10 from the free throw line.

Bacot provided the spark as he was able to get to the basket and draw fouls, giving the Tar Heels life and a 30-28 lead at the break. But even with the lead, this UNC team once again showed that they will struggle with turnovers, rotational defense and shooting the three-pointer, a common theme so far this season.

In the second half, UNC went on a bit of a run sparked by their play from Bacot and freshman Day’Ron Sharpe. The big men imposed their will in the paint and had key buckets to keep the Tar Heels ahead despite the Eagles pushing.

Sharpe finished the game with 12 points and had six rebounds as there was no answer for the duo despite the struggles from senior Garrison Brooks.

The key moment in that second half came on a 8-0 run from senior Andrew Platek as he drained back-to-back three-pointers then added another two-point bucket. The 8-0 run extended UNC’s lead to 57-42 lead with 9:11 left in the game. The two three-pointers by Platek were the only two for the Tar Heels in the game.

In the end, while UNC struggled a win is a win and this team will take it. However, there really needs to be improvement made because with just one game left until conference play, things could get ugly for them as the competition ramps up.

Next up for the Tar Heels is a date with Ohio State in the CBS Sports Classic on Saturday in Cleveland. Ohio State is 4-0 this year with two games next week, ahead of their matchup with UNC.

For more on the UNC Basketball program, please check back with Keeping It Heel.