Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Armando Bacot scored 20 points and grabbed 16 rebounds as North Carolina put together a strong finishing stretch in a 72-64 victory against Boston College on Tuesday night in Chapel Hill, N.C.
An 11-point lead shrunk to one point before the Tar Heels turned it on again to stay unblemished in nine home games.
RJ Davis had 18 points and Caleb Love provided 16 points as North Carolina (13-6, 5-3 ACC) won for the eighth time in its last 10 games.
Quinten Post’s 17 points and Jaeden Zackary’s 14 points paced Boston College (8-11, 2-6), which suffered its fourth consecutive loss. The Eagles missed all six of their 3-point attempts and fell to 0-5 in true road games.
It was the first time since 1990 that a North Carolina opponent went an entire game without making a 3-pointer.
North Carolina had a 45-35 lead less than four minutes into the second half on Davis’ 3-pointer. Another of his 3s made it 52-41.
After that, Boston College settled in a bit and didn’t budge.
North Carolina had a stretch of more than five minutes when it managed only two points, with the Eagles closing within 56-55 on Zackery’s basket with 6:07 to play.
After the Tar Heels kept possession with an offensive rebound, Love’s 3-pointer ended the scoring drought with 5:21 left. Love also scored on the next North Carolina possession as the Tar Heels regained control.
North Carolina welcomed forward Pete Nance back to the court after he missed three games with a strained back. He was in the starting lineup, hitting a 3-pointer on his first shot attempt and finishing with six points and five rebounds.
The Tar Heels played without forward Jalen Washington, who was nursing an ankle injury.
North Carolina led 31-26 at halftime despite shooting 37.5 percent from the field. The big difference was the Tar Heels’ five 3-point baskets in the half.
North Carolina has won 15 of its last 16 meetings with Boston College.
–Field Level Media