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UNC Basketball: Kessler’s 20 points guide Tar Heels to upset of Seminoles

By Blake Cockrum

Feb 27, 2021; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Walker Kessler (13) shoots as Florida State Seminoles center Balsa Koprivica (5) defends in the first half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2021; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Walker Kessler (13) shoots as Florida State Seminoles center Balsa Koprivica (5) defends in the first half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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The UNC basketball program pulled off its biggest win of the season behind a 20-point, eight-rebound performance by Walker Kessler.

70. 435. 78. 441. Final

North Carolina freshman center Walker Kessler had a career-high 20 points and eight rebounds, and the Tar Heels toppled the No. 11 Florida State Seminoles 78-70 on Saturday afternoon. In doing so, UNC head coach Roy Williams nabbed his 900th career win, and is the fastest in history to reach that mark.

Kessler’s big game included an outstanding 9-for-10 shooting performance, and 2-of-2 mark at the free throw line. He also recorded four blocks and a steal, and affected a number of plays on the defensive end — particularly in the painted area.

North Carolina got double-digit points out of a trio of other freshmen — Kerwin Walton, Caleb Love and R.J. Davis — though they struggled through a combined 9-for-34 shooting performance. They did, however, hit all 14 of their free throw attempts, and made some clutch plays for the Tar Heels down the stretch.

https://twitter.com/marchmadness/status/1365806806333878274

The Tar Heels shot just 38.3 percent for the game and 21.7 percent from three-point range, but hit an impressive 27-of-30 free throw attempts. They outrebounded the Seminoles 44-36, and had nine blocks as a team.

The Seminoles were led by Raiquan Gray, who had a team-high 17 points and eight rebounds. Freshman guard Scottie Barnes scored a dozen points, and junior reserve Anthony Polite added 10. Florida State, which falls to 14-4 with the loss, struggled shooting the ball all game long. They connected on just 26-of-67 shots from the floor, 5-of-17 from beyond the arc and 13-of-20 at the foul line. Their 10-4 league record still leads the Atlantic Coast Conference.

The Tar Heels improve to 15-8 on the season, and 9-5 in the ACC. Their victory over Florida State should prove to be a massive statement win and resume-builder as we inch closer to postseason play. They’ll take the court next on Monday night when they travel to New York to take on the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome.

Next. Roy Williams nabs 900th career victory. dark

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