Pittsburgh closed on a 14-2 run to overcome a late 63-59 deficit and send Carolina to yet another frustrating defeat in an increasingly frustrating season. The 73-65 loss is UNC’s third in its last four games.

The Tar Heels led for much of the night, going up 44-34 late in the first half before the Panthers closed on an 8-0 run to make the score 44-42 at halftime. Carolina pushed the advantage back to seven points at 49-42, but that was as good as it would get for the Tar Heels for the rest of the night.

The two teams traded leads for the next 12 minutes, with a layup from Seth Trimble giving Carolina its 63-59 advantage with 6:32 remaining. UNC would only manage one more made field goal for the rest of the night. In the meantime, Pitt moved back in front on a Zack Austin three-pointer, 64-63. A layup from Elliot Cadeau – UNC’s final points of the game – gave the lead back to Carolina at the 3:21 mark. But Austin was it again less than a minute later, hitting another go-ahead three-pointer. This time, Pittsburgh wouldn’t give the lead back. Cameron Corhen made a jumper with 1:04 to go and Ishmael Leggett sank four consecutive free throws in the final minute to see UNC off. The Panthers outscored Carolina 31-21 in the second half.

Pittsburgh capitalized on UNC mistakes all evening, turning 14 Tar Heel turnovers into 22 points. By contrast, Carolina managed only four points off Pittsburgh’s six turnovers. The significant edge neutralized a dominant 38-28 rebounding advantage for the Tar Heels, though Pittsburgh still finished with more second-chance points (10-8). Notably, UNC forward Jalen Washington missed the game with a sprained left knee suffered against Boston College on Saturday.

R.J. Davis led Carolina with 16 points, while Elliot Cadeau had 11 and Seth Trimble had 10. Trimble also grabbed 12 rebounds to secure his second consecutive double-double. Four Panthers scored between 14 and 18 points, with Jaland Lowe leading all scorers at 18 and Austin adding 15.

The loss drops Carolina to 13-9 overall and 6-4 in league play. The Tar Heels will be back in action for their first of two games against No. 2 Duke on Saturday evening in Durham at 6:30 p.m.

 

Featured image via Associated Press/Nell Redmond

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