RECAP: Heels defeat Boston College 48-46. A last-second three-point shot is no good and UNC gets the win in grind-it-out fashion. The win is the 20th by Carolina this season, as the travels to Raleigh for its next game to play N.C. State.
Here are a few postgame notes from the press conferences:
• The 48 points are the fewest ever scored by Carolina in the Smith Center (today was UNC's 361st game in the Smith Center). The previous low was 50 against Princeton on Dec. 13, 1997, in a 50-42 UNC victory.
• The 94 combined points are the second-fewest in a game in the Smith Center. The low is the 92 scored by the Tar Heels and Princeton on Dec. 13, 1997.
• The 48 points are the fewest points by UNC in a victory since a 45-44 win at NC State on Feb. 12, 1997.
• This is Carolina's first game scoring fewer than 50 points since a 60-48 loss to Duke in Charlotte on March 8, 2002, in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals.
5:42 PM -- 3:49 and the final media timeout has UNC leading BC 45-40. BC, specifically Raji, has found its stroke, with the Eagles going on a 10-2 run to draw to within five. The Heels have turned the ball over multiple times in that stretch. Should be in for an interesting finish! It's about time to head downstairs for the post-game press conferences.
5:33 PM 7:47 remains to play in the game and UNC leads BC 43-30. The Heels are doing a better job of getting out on the fast break. BC is shooting a woeful 10-of-43 from the field for the game, and missed 13 of its first 14 shots in the second half.
5:22 PM -- The Heels are in the midst of a 13-1 scoring run over the past five and a half minutes. The spurt has helped UNC build a 37-24 lead with 11:56 to play in the contest.
4:46 PM -- It was a rough half if you are a fan of offense. UNC leads 21-20 at halftime. The Heels shot only 34 percent in the first half. BC shot only 28 percent from the field. Josh Southern scored five points to lead BC, with 4 points, 8 rebounds, and a block by the John Henson.
Hopefully the "O" will pick up after intermission. Also noticed that Carolina great Tyler Hansbrough is in town for the NBA All-Star break and is in attendance at the game.
The 26-6 NIT champion Tar Heels were recognized at mid-court in a great ceremony. Second half to begin shortly.
4:40 PM -- 3:20 remains in a first half of attrition. Both teams not shooting well from the perimeter but the Heels are up one point at 18-17. However a BC free throw after the media timeout may tie it up. UNC is honoring the 1971 NIT championship team at halftime in what promises to be a special ceremony.
4:30 PM -- Carolina leads14-9 with 7:06 to play in the half. John Henson went out with an apparent ankle or foot injury at the 12:09 mark, but returned two minutes later. Henson has four points for UNC, with baskets from Barnes, Zeller and Marshall, with a three point basket from Leslie McDonald.
4:20 PM -- 11:35 remains in the first stanza and the Heels lead BC 9-3. The Eagles have connected on only one shot as the Heels have built a six-point lead.
4:10 PM -- points are at a premium in the early going with the Heels leading 4-0 at the 15:24 mark of the first half. A Henson dunk and a Barnes layup are the only points thus far.
This afternoon, we are LIVE FROM...UNC/Boston College basketball. UNC easily handled the Eagles in the first meeting between the school in Chesnut Hill, Mass, and hope to make it a clean sweep this afternoon.
Joe Trapani and Reggie Jackson key the Eagles attack offensively. Carolina looks to build on its win Tuesday night in the Smith Center over the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. We'll be providing periodic updates throughout the game.
It's been a busy weekend for area athletics. Congratulations to the Avery Lady Vikings on its WHC tournament championship victory over Mountain Heritage Friday night. Mercedes Bentley, Katelynn Eudy and Megan Tennant were named to the All-Tournament Team, with Tennant taking Most Outstanding Player honors. By virtue of its season, Avery will be hosting 10-12 East Surry in the opening round of the state basketball playoffs.
The Avery boys basketball team will also compete in the state playoffs, but will be traveling to Hayesville to play the Yellow Jackets out of the Big Smoky Mountain Conference. Hayesville has won 18 games this season and finished second to Murphy in the conference race.
The event had a delay of approximately two hours due to what was deemed a "computer glitch" which inadvertently re-drew seeds and forced the first two rounds of the tournament to be completed by hand.
