Seth Trimble was on fire, scoring a career-high of 30 points as No. 18 North Carolina edged out No. 24 Louisville, winning 77-74 in a nail-biter at the Smith Center.
The game was a rollercoaster for the Tar Heels. They started off shaky, falling behind by 10 points in the first half. But they turned things around, pushing their lead to 16 points during the second half.
Trimble was unstoppable, nailing 11 of 16 shots and adding four rebounds and four assists. “Once I hit nine points, I felt like I was in a groove,” he shared about his confidence during the game. His performance marked his third game with over 20 points this season.
Two other players joined Trimble in double figures—Henri Veesaar and Luka Bogavac, each scoring 12 points. Jarin Stevenson made his mark with nine points and seven rebounds, while Derek Dixon added some critical three-pointers.
On the other side, Louisville’s Mikel Brown Jr. led his team with 24 points, while Ryan Conwell added another 23. The Cardinals hit 14 three-pointers but couldn’t quite keep up.
This victory gave the Tar Heels a 22-6 overall record and a strong 10-5 in the Atlantic Coast Conference. It’s noteworthy that this marks the 49th season for the Tar Heels with at least 10 conference wins. Under head coach Hubert Davis, they’ve been consistent, achieving this feat for the sixth consecutive year.
Carolina’s home record stood tall at 16-0 this season, the longest streak since they boasted 23 wins between late 2016 and 2017. Their offensive game was sharp, hitting over 60% in the first half and finishing the game at 53.6%. The Tar Heels have proven to be a powerhouse when shooting over 50%, boasting a record of 46-2 under Davis in such games.
Despite their offensive success, Davis pointed out a key area for improvement: rebounding. “We got outrebounded by nine,” he noted, emphasizing the importance of that aspect in game outcomes.
The Tar Heels’ defense was impressive, limiting Louisville to just 38.8% shooting. Teams coached by Davis have a strong track record—57 wins against only 4 losses when holding opponents under 40%.
In the first half, North Carolina’s strong inside game contributed to a 39-38 lead at halftime, with Trimble leading the charge. The second half featured a 17-2 run that put the Tar Heels in a solid position. But Louisville fought back, closing the gap to just two points in the final seconds.
Looking ahead, the Tar Heels will face Virginia Tech next Saturday at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN2 as they continue their homestand.
This game showcased the potential and determination of both teams, making for thrilling entertainment. For basketball fans, it’s a reminder of how quickly momentum can shift and how crucial teamwork and defense are in clinching tight victories.
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