UNC Basketball gets battle tested on opening night but hang on to defeat Elon

Hubert Davis and the UNC basketball program were certainly tested on opening night but found a way to defeat Elon to pick up their first victory of the 2024-2025 season.

Elon never gave up in what looked like a game that North Carolina would pull away. The Phoenix rallied in the second half to not only tie the game but also to take the lead for a short period of time. Then, RJ Davis stepped up to the occasion like he'd done plenty of times before.

After facing a tough scoring drought in the second half, North Carolina finished strong. Davis and the Tar Heels outscored the Phoenix 21-5 over the final 6:35 of the game.

The fifth-year graduate student scored 17 of his game-high 24 points in the second half to help the Tar Heels regain the lead for good. Davis did a little bit of everything as he flirted with a triple-double, finishing with seven rebounds and seven assists in 33 minutes of action.

North Carolina's athleticism and speed were very much on display, as it was encouraging to see so many different players get involved early and often. Elliot Cadeau operated the offense efficiently and effectively, finishing the night with 17 points to go along with eight assists. Seth Trimble finished with a career-high 15 points while Jae'Lyn Withers knocked down some three pointers en route to a double-double performance (10 points, 10 rebounds).

While it wasn't perfect by any means, it's a win that will help the UNC basketball program learn more about this year's team as the 2024-2025 season is officially underway. They'll have some time to regroup and prepare for Friday night's showdown with No. 1 ranked Kansas in Lawrence.