No. 22 North Carolina overcame a 16-point first-half deficit to defeat No. 14 Virginia 85-80 on Saturday in John Paul Jones Arena, securing their first Atlantic Coast Conference road win of the season. The Tar Heels outscored the Cavaliers 58-37 in the second half, fueled by a remarkable shooting performance.
Second-Half Surge Propels Tar Heels
Trailing 43-27 late in the first half, North Carolina mounted a furious comeback. Carolina shot 63.5 percent from the field after halftime, turning the tide against a Virginia team that struggled to maintain its early momentum. Jarin Stevenson sparked the rally, scoring all 17 of his points in the second half, including a crucial three-pointer with 1:38 remaining to give UNC an 81-74 lead.
Caleb Wilson led all Tar Heel scorers with 20 points, his 14th 20-point performance in 20 games. This ties him with Tyler Hansbrough (2005-06) for the most 20-point games by a UNC freshman. Wilson was supported by Seth Trimble, who efficiently scored 16 points on 5 of 6 shooting, and Luka Bogavac, who contributed 14 points – his highest output since December 22nd.
Virginia’s Struggles in the Second Half
While Virginia’s Thijs De Ridder led all players with 20 points and 8 rebounds, the Cavaliers’ shooting cooled significantly after the break. After hitting six three-pointers in the first half, they managed only two in the second, finishing at 29.6 percent from beyond the arc. Virginia also struggled with rebounding, being outrebounded 44-28 – the largest rebound margin allowed by North Carolina this season.
Despite dominating the boards and second-chance points (17-7), Virginia could not withstand North Carolina’s second-half offensive explosion. Derek Dixon added 11 points and a season-high seven assists, further solidifying the Tar Heels’ comeback.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the largest lead Virginia held in the game?
Virginia led by as many as 16 points late in the first half.
Who led North Carolina in scoring?
Caleb Wilson led the Tar Heels with 20 points.
How did North Carolina perform from the field in the second half?
Carolina shot 63.5 percent from the field in the second half.
Looking ahead, North Carolina will have a week off before traveling to face Georgia Tech next Saturday. The team could build on this momentum, or this road win may prove to be an isolated performance. It remains to be seen how they will perform against another conference opponent.
