Tar Heels Shine in Victory Over ETSU
In a strong showing, Henri Veesaar scored a career-best 26 points as the 12th-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels defeated ETSU 77-58 on Tuesday night at the Smith Center.
Veesaar was impressive, making 10 of 11 shots and grabbing eight rebounds. He also hit two three-pointers and went four for four from the free-throw line. His shooting percentage (90.9%) ranks among the best performances in Tar Heel history at the Smith Center.
Caleb Wilson contributed 20 points and added eight rebounds. He’s made at least five free throws in all 11 of his games, tying for the fourth-longest streak in UNC history.
Kyan Evans played a pivotal role with six points and a game-high six assists. The team had an excellent assist-to-turnover ratio, with 18 assists against just seven turnovers.
After a tight first half, where UNC led 38-30, they broke the game open with a 15-0 run in the second half. Veesaar noted the team’s great ball movement, saying, “We were finding easy pocket passes.”
Head coach Hubert Davis praised his team’s defense, which held ETSU to 38.5% shooting. The Tar Heels improved their record to 10-1 this season, with an unbeaten 8-0 at home. Notably, under Davis, UNC is 52-4 when holding opponents under 40% shooting.
Carolina has kept all of its opponents under 75 points this season, showcasing their defensive skills. “We’ve got to be a really good defensive team,” Davis emphasized. “When we check those three boxes, it leads to our success.”
The win marked the Tar Heels’ 497th victory in the Smith Center, showcasing their dominance at home.
Looking ahead, UNC will face Ohio State in Atlanta this Saturday for the CBS Sports Classic, a game that could further test their strong start to the season.
This game not only highlights the Tar Heels’ offensive and defensive strengths but positions them well in the national rankings, proving they are a team to watch this season.
