Garrison Brooks Lifts UNC to Victory at NC State

After being left for dead at numerous points during this season, suddenly the UNC men’s basketball team finds itself on a two-game winning streak after defeating the rival NC State Wolfpack in Raleigh on Monday by a score of 75-65.

Recent years have seen the Tar Heels find great success against the Wolfpack at PNC Arena by pounding the ball inside and letting their big men go to work—whether it was Brice Johnson, Kennedy Meeks, Isaiah Hicks or Luke Maye.

On Monday, Garrison Brooks added his name to that list as he absolutely dominated NC State from start to finish. The junior scored 17 of his game-high 25 points in the first half, helping the Tar Heels (10-10, 3-6 ACC) overcome a hot start by the Wolfpack (14-7, 5-5 ACC) and then ultimately take a lead they would hold on to for the final 21 minutes of the game.

Garrison Brooks did it all for UNC in its 75-65 win over NC State on Monday, leading the team with 25 points, 11 rebounds and three assists. (Photo via Todd Melet)

Brooks also added 11 rebounds and three assists—both of which were also team highs–in a magnificent performance that gave UNC its second win in three days after previously being stuck in a five-game losing skid.

In addition, the victory improves head coach Roy Williams to 36-4 all-time against NC State.

“I wanted to really get off to a good start in the second half and try to see if we could keep the crowd out of it,” Williams told reporters afterwards. “We never could get enough separation to get the crowd out of it. But we got the ball to Garrison and he made enough plays for us.”

While it was Brooks who stole the show, the Tar Heels also received spirited efforts from a number of other players.

Freshman forward Armando Bacot did plenty of work inside himself with 11 points and 11 rebounds, while guards Leaky Black and Brandon Robinson each added 11 points to the winning cause as well.

Robinson—who grew up idolizing the late Kobe Bryant–also served as somewhat of an emotional spark, channeling his inner Black Mamba when he returned to finish the game despite being forced to the training room on three separate occasions.

An ankle tweak took him out early in the first half, while an elbow to the ribs and then a fall onto that same area later on cost him valuable minutes in the second half.

In some ways, Robinson’s perseverance was a metaphor for the way this Tar Heel team has begun to play.

Back-to-back wins have brought the team’s record back to .500 at 10-10 and re-instilled the confidence necessary to grind out victories in the ACC.

Pair that with the impending return of star point guard Cole Anthony, and there remains a chance that UNC can still salvage something out of this season. It won’t be easy, by any means, but there is still a chance.

“I do think that we have to work and do a better job of our execution on both ends of the court,” Williams said. “Whether we’re the least gifted or not. I’ll go back, I wasn’t very gifted. But I loved to frickin’ compete. And sometimes you gotta have that part of it too.”

Up Next:

The Tar Heels return home to the Dean Dome for their next game, which comes on Saturday against Boston College. Tip-off for that one is set for 6 p.m.

Game Notes:

UNC has now won 31 of its last 35 games against NC State.
The Tar Heels shot 49 percent from the floor in this game, after shooting 57 percent in Saturday’s win over Miami. Prior to these two wins, UNC had not shot better than 47 percent in any of its first 18 games.
UNC out-rebounded the Wolfpack 43-30.

FINAL BOX SCORE

Cover photo via

Garrison Brooks Lifts UNC to Victory at NC State

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