Carolina dominated visiting NC State in every facet in the first half of Wednesday night’s contest at the Smith Center, leading 54-26 at halftime and cruising from there to a 97-73 win. It’s UNC’s seventh straight home win against the Wolfpack.

The Tar Heels used an early 10-0 run to build a 16-6 lead within 6:11, and the advantage would snowball from there. Three-pointers from Jae’Lyn Withers, Ian Jackson, Elliot Cadeau and Cade Tyson ballooned the lead past 15 points at 25-10, past 20 points at 37-15 and past 25 points at 44-18.

Carolina shot 20-36 (55.6 percent) overall and 7-15 (46.7 percent) on threes in the first half, compared to just 10-28 (35.7 percent) and 2-10 (20 percent) from the Wolfpack. The Tar Heels also pounded the glass, outrebounding NC State 21-12 in the opening 20 minutes and scoring 17 second-chance points. UNC also scored 13 points off of nine Wolfpack turnovers.

UNC’s 28-point lead was its largest at halftime all season and its largest in any game since 2022. The 54 points scored were also the Tar Heels’ most in a first half all season. Carolina led by as many as 30 points early in the second half.

R.J. Davis led the way for Carolina with 21 points, which vaulted him into fourth place on the ACC’s all-time scoring list. Seth Trimble (15 points), Ven-Allen Lubin (13) and Jackson (12) also reached double figures. Ten different Tar Heels scored, with all of them making at least two shots from the field.

Carolina’s emphatic victory came in front of a raucous crowd at the Smith Center – one made up of largely students and others who live within walking distance of the arena. Shortly before tip-off, the program had encouraged fans who normally drive to games to stay off the roads due to winter weather in the Triangle area. Fans within walking distance were able to enter the arena for free.

The win improves UNC to 16-11 overall and 9-6 in ACC play. It’s the team’s second against the Wolfpack this season after winning 63-61 in Raleigh on January 11. The Tar Heels will be back in action when they host Virginia at the Smith Center on Saturday at 4 p.m.

 

Featured image via Associated Press/Chris Seward

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