Despite trailing by five points midway through the first half on Saturday at the Dean Dome, the 14th-ranked UNC men’s basketball team was able to lock down on defense and put together a huge run to defeat the visiting Davidson Wildcats by a score of 82-60.
Behind 17 points from graduate transfer Cameron Johnson, the Tar Heels were able to rebound strongly from last Saturday’s loss to Kentucky and get back into the win column.
A 10-0 run to close the first half helped UNC (9-3) shake the pesky Wildcats away, before another 12-0 run early in the second half extended the Tar Heel lead to 21 points.
Cameron Johnson (left) led all UNC players with 17 points against Davidson on Saturday. (Todd Melet)
That eight-minute span of game time ultimately proved to be the difference for UNC, which put together a solid performance on the defensive end against a Davidson squad (9-4) missing its leading scorer, Kellan Grady, due to injury.
In addition, the Tar Heels held Davidson to just 29 percent shooting from the floor and held the visitors to the second-lowest point total by any UNC opponent this season. The Wildcats—a team that thrives on long-range shooting—were also held to just 10 makes on their 38 attempts from beyond the three-point line.
For a team that has struggled defensively so far, Saturday was a welcome sign for head coach Roy Williams and company.
“I think, at times, we were good defensively,” Williams told reporters after the game. I think, at times, we did close out on the shooters. We don’t like to foul a three-point shooter, but I think we closed out pretty well on them.”
It was a balanced all-around effort from the Tar Heels, who had a total of five players score in double figures.
Johnson continued to lead the team in scoring, but he was helped by 12 points from senior guard Kenny Williams and 11 points apiece from forwards Luke Maye and Garrison Brooks.
Luke Maye (right) posted a double-double with 11 points and a team-high 14 rebounds against Davidson. (Todd Melet)
Freshman wing Nassir Little also contributed 10 points to the cause, while point guard Coby White chipped in seven points and seven assists.
With this serving as one of the final two non-conference games on UNC’s schedule, it was one of the last chances the Tar Heels will have to get things together before the gauntlet of ACC play gets underway.
Although the final result on Saturday will count as a victory no matter what, Williams would still like to see more from his team if they want to have any hope of fighting for championships down the stretch.
“We’re not as good as I want us to be,” Williams said. “That’s the biggest thing. I think it’s been a good stretch for us. I think it’s getting us prepared for conference play.
“At one point, we had played 10 games—or 11 games maybe—and only five of them in the Smith Center,” the coach added. “And I think that for us, that’s the kind of schedule I’m hoping will have us more prepared for conference play.”
Up Next:
The Tar Heels will stay home for their next game on Wednesday, Jan. 2 when they host Harvard. That game is scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m.
Game Notes:
- For the first time this season, Coby White ditched his signature floppy afro in favor of a braided ponytail look.
- UNC outrebounded Davidson 40-25, a welcome development after the Tar Heels were on the wrong end of that category in last Saturday’s loss to Kentucky.
- Luke Maye also had 14 rebounds in addition to his 11 points.
Cover photo via Todd Melet
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