UNC shot just 21-55 (38.2 percent) from the floor and 4-23 (17.4 percent) on three-pointers in a 74-58 loss to No. 11 Michigan State in the final game of the Fort Myers Tip-Off event Thursday afternoon.

The Spartans closed the game on a 19-6 run, blowing it open after UNC had whittled what had been a nine-point lead down to three points at 55-52 with 8:48 remaining. But the Tar Heels would only make two field goals from that point onward, both of which came from freshman forward Caleb Wilson. Wilson led the way scoring-wise for Carolina, finishing with 18 points. Henri Veesaar (13 points) and Luka Bogavac (11) also reached double figures.

Despite their contributions, Carolina simply couldn’t keep up with a hot Michigan State offense. The Spartans shot a sizzling 18-29 (62.1 percent) from the floor in the second half to pull away, with star point guard Jeremy Fears scoring 15 of his 19 points in the final 20 minutes. He was one of four Spartans to reach double figures. Michigan State also shot 5-10 (50 percent) from three, outscoring the Tar Heels from deep on 13 fewer attempts.

UNC trailed 5-0 early but overcame that deficit to take its largest lead at 22-15 with 7:42 left in the first half. Michigan State promptly answered that run, scoring 13 unanswered points to go ahead 28-22. The Spartans led 33-28 at halftime, and the teams traded blows before the game-ending run by Michigan State.

The loss is UNC’s first of the season and ends the Tar Heels’ 6-0 start, which was the team’s best under head coach Hubert Davis. Now 6-1, Carolina will be back in action when it visits No. 19 Kentucky in the ACC-SEC Challenge Tuesday night at 9:30 p.m.

 

Featured image via Associated Press/Mike Carlson

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