Despite heroics from Seth Trimble and Drake Powell to force overtime against Michigan State in the Maui Invitational third-place game on Wednesday night, Carolina fell to the Spartans 94-91.

The Tar Heels missed their first nine shots of the game and trailed by as many as 14 points in the first half. It’s the fourth time in seven games this season UNC has faced a deficit of at least 10 points in the first half. The Spartans led 43-34, though the lead could’ve been even more after a buzzer-beating three from Michigan State’s Tre Holloman was negated after a replay review.

UNC climbed out of the deficit in the second half, using bursts from freshmen Ian Jackson and Drake Powell along the way. A Powell layup on a fast break gave Carolina a 58-57 lead (its first since the score was 1-0), but that lead only lasted a few moments. Seconds after the basket, Elliot Cadeau was whistled for a defensive foul, drawing the ire of head coach Hubert Davis. Davis was then assessed a technical foul, allowing the Spartans to shoot and make two free throws to take the lead back.

Michigan State led 80-73 with 1:24 remaining, but a hectic final sequence of regulation allowed the Tar Heels to rally. R.J. Davis converted a three-point play before Carolina forced a turnover and Elliot Cadeau made a three. Cadeau had a golden opportunity to give UNC a late lead, but missed an open layup. The Spartans grabbed the rebound and made two free throws, but an off-balance three from Trimble with five seconds remaining tied the game. Michigan State failed to get a shot off before the final buzzer.

In overtime, Carolina led briefly after two free throws from Cadeau, but six unanswered points from the Spartans gave Michigan State control. The Tar Heels shot just 2-8 from the floor in the extra session, with Davis 1-5. The Spartans shot 3-4 in overtime and 6-8 at the free throw line. Collectively, UNC led for a total of 68 seconds in 65 minutes of game action.

Powell finished with a career-high 18 points on 7-9 shooting to lead UNC, while Cadeau scored 17 before fouling out in overtime. Fellow freshman Ian Jackson added 14 off the bench.

Carolina finishes 1-2 in the Maui Invitational and drops to 4-3 on the season with the loss. The Tar Heels will return home to face No. 9 Alabama in the Smith Center as part of the ACC-SEC Challenge on December 4 at 7:15 p.m.

 

Featured image via Associated Press/Lindsey Wasson

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