In what was a big game for North Carolina’s NCAA Tournament chances, Hubert Davis’ team set the tone early on in the 71-63 win over No. 6 Virginia on Saturday night.
After the game was 11-10 early on, the Tar Heels got hot from the field, making 9 three-pointers in the first half. They had all the momentum and control of the game, playing at the pace they wanted to rather than how Virginia wanted to slow the game down.
And at the center of it all was Pete Nance.
The forward finished the game with 22 points, including 4-of-4 from the three-point line to lead all scorers. Nance also got it done on the defensive end, blocking four shots and having a big stretch late in the game with Armando Bacot sitting out with four fouls.
That first half really set the tone for the Tar Heels, building a 42-26 lead over the Cavaliers.
Virginia opened the second half with a 7-0 lead to cut the lead down to just 9 early in that half. But UNC responded and never let the lead get down to less than 8 in that second half.
It was probably the best UNC has looked all season long, putting together a complete game and it came at the right time. UNC entered this matchup without a Quad 1 win this season and made a statement on their home court against Virginia. That gives them a Quad 1 win heading into the final week of the season with a road date at Florida State on Monday and then hosting Duke on Saturday night.
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