by Matt Bowers
PITTSBURGH—Jamarius Burton scored 31 points as Pittsburgh beat No. 25 North Carolina, 76-74, at the Petersen Events Center on Friday afternoon.
Pitt improved to 3-0 in Atlantic Coast Conference play, winning for the fourth time in the last five meetings in the series. Carolina fell to 9-5 overall, 1-2 in the ACC.
A poor second half doomed UNC, as the Tar Heels shot 33 percent (9 for 27, including 1 for 9 three-pointers) in the final 20 minutes after hitting 52 percent in the opening period. Meanwhile, Carolina allowed Pitt to connect on 50 percent of its attempts from the floor in the second half.
The Panthers outscored Carolina, 31-14, to close the game in the final 12 minutes.
“Defensively, we just didn’t have an answer for Burton,” UNC head coach Hubert Davis said in his postgame press conference. “Nobody on our team could guard him, and they stepped up and made plays down the stretch. Whether you’re at home or on the road, you have to step up and make those plays. We just didn’t do that at the end of the game.”
Armando Bacot finished with 22 points and 13 rebounds for his eighth double-double of the season and the 57th of his career. He has a school-record 64 double-figure rebound games.
“The second half, we just let it slip away,” Bacot. “Playing a team at home, we can’t afford to make mistakes and take a deep breath. That’s what happens, they beat us.”
RJ Davis contributed 16 points and five rebounds despite an off-night shooting the ball that saw him miss 4 of 5 three-point tries. He was 7 for 8 from the free throw line.
Pete Nance scored 10 points while grabbing five rebounds. Leaky Black chipped in nine points and nine rebounds.
The Panthers limited Caleb Love, the ACC’s leading scorer entering the game, to seven points on 3 of 9 shooting. Love scored in single digits for just the second time this season and committed a key turnover in the final minute.
After Carolina dominated the boards, 22-12, in the first half, Pitt out-rebounded UNC, 21-16 in the second half. The Panthers scored 42 points in the paint to Carolina’s 26 in the game.
The Tar Heels will return to action on Wednesday night January 4 at home against Wake Forest. It will be Carolina’s first game in Chapel Hill in over three weeks since a December 13 win over The Citadel. Eight of UNC’s last 10 games have been on the road or at neutral sites.
Podcasts/Media
-
Podcast
/ 2 days agoThe Nest with East Forsyth HC Todd Willert – Season 6 Ep 14 – Tues Nov 19th 2024
Hosted by Rod Funderburk, recorded live from J. Peppers Southern Bar and Grille, Kernersville,...
-
Podcast
/ 2 days agoThe Desmond Johnson Show – Weds Nov 20th 2024
The Desmond Johnson Show – Weds Nov 20th 2024 Its High School Football Weds!...
-
Podcast
/ 2 days agoTitans Talk with West Forsyth HC Kevin Wallace – Season 5 Ep 11 – Mon Nov 18th 2024
Hosted by JP Mundy. Recorded live from The Playground Golf and Sports Bar in...
-
Podcast
/ 2 days agoThis is Whirlie Nation – Season 2 Ep 10 – Mon Nov 18th 2024
Hosted by Mike Fanning, recorded live from Natty Greene’s in Greensboro every Monday in...
ACC Football
-
ACC Football
/ 1 week agoDabo Swinney defends ACC competitiveness, uses Vanderbilt wins over Alabama, Auburn to make point
Published by On3 Clemson earned a hard-fought road win at Virginia Tech on Saturday...
-
ACC Football
/ 2 weeks agoPaul Finebaum weighs in on Mike Norvell hot seat, potential of Deion Sanders to FSU
Published by On3 Paul Finebaum didn’t mince words in evaluating Florida State’s falloff from...
-
ACC Football
/ 2 weeks agoPaul Finebaum assesses damage to Miami, ACC College Football Playoff chances
Published by On3 Paul Finebaum knows Miami did some damage to itself by losing...
-
ACC Football
/ 2 weeks agoDemon Deacons Drop High-Scoring 46-36 Contest to California
Courtesy GoDeacs.com WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Despite a valiant effort to comeback from a 15-point third...
NFL/Carolina Panthers
-
NFL
/ 3 days agoCarolina Panthers sign former first-round DB Caleb Farley to active roster
Published by On3 The Carolina Panthers are signing former first-round pick defensive back Caleb...
-
NFL
/ 1 week agoMiles Sanders injury update: NFL insider reveals latest on Panthers RB’s availability
Published by On3 Carolina Panthers (3-7) running back Miles Sanders is considered day-to-day with...
-
NFL
/ 2 weeks agoPanthers edge Giants in overtime at Munich NFL game
Published by DPA International The Carolina Panthers beat the New York Giants 20-17 in...
-
NFL
/ 2 weeks agoCarolina Panthers lock up RB Chuba Hubbard with 4-year, $33.2 million extension
Published by On3 The Carolina Panthers have come to an agreement on an extension...