Just when we hoped that the UNC basketball program was heading back in the right direction...
North Carolina suffered a last-second loss to the Stanford Cardinals on Saturday afternoon, a loss that definitely will be one that the Tar Heels will look back on and say they should've won.
It was a back-and-forth game throughout, as both sides had their moments of momentum. Every time it seemed like one team was set to pull away, the other would respond, and that would happen right up until the final buzzer.
After two made free throws from RJ Davis, the Tar Heels held a five-point lead with 4:23 remaining. From that point on, the visiting Cardinals outscored the home team 11-5, as North Carolina struggled to put the ball in the basket.
Trailing by one with seven seconds to go, Seth Trimble drove to the basket and was fouled. He made two clutch free throws to put the Tar Heels ahead, but it was too much time for Stanford to work with.
With the Tar Heels pressuring, Stanford drove down the court, as former Duke Blue Devil Jaylen Blakes made a jumper with just over one second remaining to regain the lead. North Carolina didn't have enough time to get another shot off, ending the game in disappointment for the UNC basketball program.
RJ Davis led the Tar Heels with 19 points to go along with five assists. Elliot Cadeau put together a strong outing overall, finishing with 12 points, six rebounds and five assists.
Unfortunately, Ian Jackson, who has been tremendous as of late, had an off-game, only making one total shot from the floor. The freshman finished with six points (four coming from the free-throw line), as North Carolina could've really used his typical offensive production in this one.
Now, the UNC basketball program will look to regain momentum as another tough challenge lies ahead. The Tar Heels will have a quick turnaround as they head to Winston-Salem to take on the Wake Forest Demon Deacons on Tuesday night.