Behind a career night from Henri Veesaar, the UNC basketball program rode a strong second half to a double-digit victory over St. Bonaventure in their Fort Myers Tip-Off opener on Tuesday night.
Playing for the first time on the road this season, the Tar Heels got off to a strong start. Connecting on five of their first six shots from the floor, it felt like it wouldn't be long before North Carolina pulled away, but a mix of physicality from the Bonnies along with costly turnovers had this a two-point game at the half.
Over the first 20 minutes, the UNC basketball program coughed the basketball up 11 times. There's no doubt the players were reminded by Hubert Davis in the locker room that this needed to be rectified.
Whatever was said in the locker room worked, as North Carolina committed just two second half turnovers. The Tar Heels shot over 53% from the floor over the final 20 minutes of action, scoring 50 points in the half to help them pull away for good.
What a night for Henri Veesaar
The junior big man had his best game of his college career thus far, setting new career-highs in points (24) and rebounds (13). St. Bonaventure had no answer for Veesaar, especially in the second half, as he connected on 9 of 14 shots from the floor (including five of his seven shots from the free-throw line).
Caleb Wilson quietly delivers
It wasn't a night where Caleb Wilson threw down multiple dunks. In fact, St. Bonaventure made it a priority to not let the five-star freshman beat them, forcing him into double teams essentially every time he touched the basketball.
However, you can try to contain him, but effectively doing it is a whole other story.
Wilson finished with another double-double performance, scoring 20 points while hauling in 12 rebounds. Most of his damage came from the free-throw line, as he capitalized on all 10 of his shots from the charity stripe.
Bogavac and Evans provide strong outings
Luka Bogavac made two early three-pointers, a very encouraging sign for North Carolina. He finished with 10 points and four assists, having some really nice looks to find his open teammates.
For the first time since the Kansas game, Kyan Evans connected on multiple three-pointers. He ended the night with 11 points, three assists and two rebounds.
What's next
For the first time since the 2016-2017 season, the UNC basketball program has started the season with a 6-0 record. They'll have a chance to extend the streak on Thursday afternoon when they clash with No. 11-ranked Michigan State in their Fort Myers Tip-Off finale.