A last second three-pointer by Virginia’s Tomas Woldetensae on Saturday night at the Dean Dome handed the UNC men’s basketball team its fifth consecutive loss, as the Cavaliers came out on top by a score of 64-62.

The Tar Heels (10-15, 3-11 ACC) are now 0-5 since the return of freshman point guard Cole Anthony to the lineup, with three of those losses coming either in overtime, at the buzzer or both.

It was yet another painful defeat for UNC, which has struggled to find any luck at all this season—both on the court and with the injury bug.

Anthony had 17 points in the game and hit a tough floater in the closing seconds to cut Virginia’s lead to one, but once again the Tar Heels were reminded that the game is a full 40 minutes long.

Players watch as Tomas Woldetensae’s game-winning three-pointer goes through the net, giving Virginia the 64-62 victory over UNC. (Photo via Todd Melet)

After Christian Keeling made three free throws to give UNC the lead with 10 seconds remaining, the Cavaliers responded by getting the ball to a wide open Woldetensae—who led the visitors with 18 points–in the left corner.

The junior then calmly swished the ball through the net with 0.8 seconds left on the clock, leaving the crowd at the Smith Center in stunned silence—a feeling that has seemingly become tradition this season.

Anthony’s desperation heave came up short soon after, as head coach Roy Williams’ team found themselves on the wrong end of yet another nail-biter.

“There’s no secret formula you can say to the kids right now,” Williams told reporters after the game. “I mean, they’re devastated.  It’s been a devastating year. Christian stepped up there and made three big free throws, and then their kid made a tough shot.”

Junior forward Garrison Brooks led the Tar Heels with a team-high 20 points despite being forced to wear protective goggles due to a scratched cornea, in a game that included 17 lead changes. On top of that, neither team ever led by more than six points.

Keeling was the third, and final, Tar Heel to score in double figures—finishing with 11 points after making those crucial free throws at the end of the game. Freshman forward Armando Bacot scored only eight points, but led the team with a career-high 16 rebounds.

This marks the second time this season UNC has had a losing streak of five or more games in ACC play, as the Tar Heels now find themselves all alone in last place in the 15-team conference standings.

“I told them I thought we didn’t react very well to a bitter defeat against Duke, when we went to Wake Forest,” Williams said. “We’ve got to react better now. It’s a quick turnaround. The game is filled with a lot of things that are extremely high and some lows as low as you could possibly ever imagine. But you still gotta keep coming back and keep playing.”

Up Next:

A short turnaround awaits the Tar Heels, who return to action on Monday with a road game at Notre Dame. Tip-off for that game is set for 7 p.m.

Game Notes:

  • UNC has lost three straight one-possession games at the Smith Center.
  • The Tar Heels’ biggest lead of the game was three points.
  • Only seven players saw action for UNC.
  • Virginia improved its record to 17-7 overall and 9-5 in conference play.

 

 

FINAL BOX SCORE

 

Cover photo via Todd Melet

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