CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – North Carolina stepped out of conference in a rare February occurrence on Wednesday night to secure an 82-62 victory over Northeastern at the Smith Center.
UNC (13-7, 7-5 ACC) overcame a shaky start – having committed five turnovers in its first 10 possessions – to take control with a 9-0 spurt and then closed the first half on a 13-4 run to take a 41-30 lead.
The Tar Heels led by double digits in the second half for all but 15 seconds as the Huskies struggled to make enough shots to cut into their deficit. UNC shot 42.7 percent from the floor, while holding its opponent to 35.6 percent shooting. Northeastern shot 33.3 from the 3-point line, but only 37.9 from two-point range.
UNC held significant advantages in three key statistical categories: points off turnovers (22-6), second-chance points (18-7) and points in the paint (42-22). The Tar Heels outrebounded the Huskies, 48-33 (17-8 OR).
Day’Ron Sharpe led UNC with 15 points on 7-of-14 shooting and Garrison Brooks notched his second double-double of the season with 11 points and 13 rebounds. Kerwin Walton (14) and Walker Kessler (season-high 10) each scored in double figures, while Caleb Love added six points and a season-high nine assists.
Wednesday’s matchup, which was scheduled on Monday after the ACC was unable to find UNC a replacement game for the postponed Virginia Tech contest originally scheduled for Tuesday, marked the latest the Tar Heels have played a non-conference game in the regular season in 18 years.
Containing Walker
It was the Tyson Walker show early at the Smith Center as the preseason All-CAA guard scored 19 of Northeastern’s first 21 points by knocking down 7-of-8 field goal attempts (4-of-5 3FG). With his teammates struggling to knock down shots, Roy Williams decided to blitz Walker out front with halfcourt traps to get the ball out of his hands.
The strategy worked. Walker was held to eight points over the final 26:25 of play to finish with 27 points on 8-of-15 shooting (4-of-7 3FG).
Bench Delivers
Four days after Kessler led UNC in scoring off the bench at Virginia, the Tar Heel reserves were at it once again against the Huskies. Andrew Platek and Sharpe were UNC’s leading scorers with nine points apiece at halftime, while R.J. Davis and Kessler provided quality minutes.
That play continued into the second half as the Tar Heel bench outscored its counterpart, 38-10. UNC’s primary reserves shot 48.4 percent (15-of-31) and combined for 20 rebounds and six assists.
Injuries Sideline a Trio of Heels
Redshirt freshman guard Anthony Harris missed his 13th game of the season on Wednesday due to a concussion suffered in the loss at Virginia on Saturday. He is in return-to-play protocol and therefore his status for this weekend’s game is to be determined.
Freshman wing Puff Johnson missed his sixth straight game with a right foot injury. Junior center Sterling Manley was questionable to play, but ultimately missed his 53rd straight game after needing surgery to repair cartilage in his left knee.
Up Next
UNC is scheduled to host Louisville on Saturday for a 6 p.m. tip (ESPN). However, the Cardinals have not played since Feb. 1 and had their game against Syracuse on Wednesday postponed due to continuing COVID-19 issues within the program.
