UNC Basketball: Tar Heels top Wolfpack at PNC Arena

The UNC basketball program remains in the hunt for an NCAA Tournament berth with a big road win over rival Wolfpack.

Armando Bacot put together another terrific performance against the NC State Wolfpack on Saturday, scoring 28 points and pulling down 18 rebounds in the 84-74 North Carolina victory.

Bacot had one of his most efficient outings of the season at PNC Arena, connecting on 11-of-13 shots for the game and 6-of-7 at the free throw line. He added five blocks, two steals and one assist while recording his 22nd double-double of the season. He’s now in a tie for second-place all-time for double-doubles by a UNC player in a single season. With one more, he would be tied with Brice Johnson’s record of 23.

Three other Tar Heels, Brady Manek, Caleb Love and Puff Johnson, added 16 points apiece against the Wolfpack. Manek shot 6-for-9 for the game and 2-for-5 beyond the arc. He added six rebounds and a team-high five assists for the Tar Heels. Love had another difficult shooting game (4-for-14, 1-for-7) but did convert all seven of his free throw attempts and pulled down six rebounds.

But it was sophomore reserve wing Puff Johnson that had the most surprising game of all on Saturday. In extended minutes — due to a first half injury to Leaky Black — Johnson scored 16 points on 4-of-9 shooting overall and 2-of-4 from long-range. He also hit 6-of-7 at the foul line to go along with five rebounds and some really solid defense.

North Carolina shot 51.8 percent (29-for-56) for the game, 26.3 percent (5-for-19) from three-point range and 91.3 percent (21-for-23) at the charity stripe. The Tar Heels outrebounded the Wolfpack by 22 (46-24) and controlled the game from start to finish despite committing nine more turnovers (16) than the Wolfpack.

Terquavion Smith led NC State with 20 points, though he struggled through a difficult 7-for-22 day from the floor and 3-for-11 from downtown. NC State reserve guard Cam Hayes scored 16 points off the bench while Jericole Hellems and Dereon Seabron each added 11.

As a team, the Wolfpack shot 37.9 percent (25-for-66) from the floor, 33.3 percent (9-for-27) from deep and 88.2 percent (15-for-17) from the foul line. The loss drops Kevin Keatts’ group to 11-18 on the season and 4-14 in league play.

The Tar Heels, now 21-8 overall and 13-5 in the ACC, prepare for their penultimate game of the regular season, a bout with the Syracuse Orange at the Dean Smith Center on Monday.

Check back with Keeping It Heel for complete coverage of that game as well as all the latest news, views and recruiting updates on the UNC basketball program.