Freshman Caleb Wilson scored a game-high 22 points in his first collegiate game, but it wasn’t enough as UNC fell to No. 8 BYU 78-76 in a preseason exhibition in Salt Lake City Friday night.
A frantic finish capped off a competitive game, one which saw neither team lead by more than eight points all night. The Tar Heels took their largest lead of the game at 68-64 at the 5:12 mark of the second half, but the Cougars would use a 14-5 run to take a 78-73 lead inside the final 30 seconds, seemingly icing the victory. But Seth Trimble was fouled on a three-pointer on UNC’s ensuing possession and made all three free throws, cutting the deficit to 78-76. On the other end, BYU’s Richie Saunders missed two free throws in a row, giving UNC a chance to steal a win.
After a timeout, Carolina gave the ball to Trimble, who attacked the rim but was denied by BYU center Keba Keita as time ran out.
Keita was one of four Cougars to reach double figures, scoring 16 points and adding 10 rebounds. Five-star freshman A.J. Dybantsa led BYU with 18 points, while Baylor transfer Robert Wright III scored 12 and Saunders added 14.
Wilson paced UNC’s offense with a double-double of his own, scoring 22 points to go along with 10 rebounds, three blocks and a steal. Trimble scored 17 and grabbed seven rebounds, and Arizona transfer Henri Veesaar finished with 14 points and eight rebounds. Seven different Tar Heels scored at least once.
Alabama transfer Jarin Stevenson started for Carolina, alongside Trimble, Veesaar, Wilson and Colorado State transfer Kyan Evans. Off the bench, freshman Derek Dixon (seven points) and West Virginia transfer Jonathan Powell (three) were the only reserves to score. Zayden High, James Brown and Virginia Tech transfer Jaydon Young also played. Montenegrin national Luka Bogavac did not play as he continues to work through eligibility issues with the university, and freshman Isaiah Denis dressed out but did not play due to a finger injury.
UNC will play its second and final exhibition of the preseason next Wednesday when it hosts Winston-Salem State at the Smith Center at 7:30 p.m.
Featured image via Associated Press/Tyler Tate
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