UNCASVILLE, Conn. – No. 18 North Carolina may have lost to No. 6 Purdue, 93-84, on Saturday afternoon, although Hubert Davis and his Tar Heels proved they were up for the challenge against a legitimate Final Four contender.
The Boilermakers (4-0) jumped out to an early 12-4 lead and the differential remained in that range until the Tar Heels (3-1) made their move midway through the second half. UNC utilized a 17-8 run to take its first lead with 9:19 to play.
Without its top defender in Leaky Black (illness), UNC struggled against one of the top offensive teams in the country. Purdue shot 55.7% for the game, including 43.5% from 3-point range (10-of-23). The Tar Heels were unable to get key stops late as the Boilermakers shot 64.3% after halftime.
Despite foul trouble of their own, Purdue’s bigs drew fouls early and often against Armando Bacot, who was held to two points on 1-of-6 shooting in 17 minutes. Dawson Garcia stepped into that void, scoring a season-high 26 points on 10-of-13 shooting to go along with eight rebounds. R.J. Davis and Caleb Love each contributed 18 points.
UNC shot 44.9% (41.4% 3FG) and hit the offensive boards to manufacture a 21-5 advantage in second-chance points. The Tar Heels were undone by coughing up 14 turnovers that led to 19 points off turnovers.
Key Sequence
Garcia’s 3-pointer from the left wing gave UNC its first lead of the game at 65-64 with 9:19 to play. After a Zach Edey free throw to tie the game, Purdue left Kerwin Walton unguarded on the wing, but his 3-point attempt missed its mark and the Boilermakers swiftly responded with a trio of three-point plays to take a 74-65 lead.
Purdue converted seven of its nine field goal attempts after UNC tied the game to extend its lead to 85-75 with 3:50 to play.
Stretch Four Approach Effective
The benefits of UNC’s updated offensive scheme were on display on Saturday as Garcia’s ability to stretch the four with Bacot in foul trouble stressed the Boilermakers’ bigs and gave UNC a much-needed edge in the post. The Marquette transfer found his hot streak early at the casino arena, scoring 15 points on 7-of-7 shooting in the first half to offset his teammates’ 8-of-25 effort.
He was equally as effective in the second half despite foul trouble of his own.
Davis Steps Up Late Again
For the second time in three games, R.J. Davis found his offensive groove in the second half to spark the Tar Heels. The sophomore guard scored 16 points after halftime on 5-of-8 shooting.
Opportunity Wasted
Matt Painter has an embarrassment of riches at center in 7-foot-4 Zach Edey and first-team all-Big Ten Trevion Williams. That duo, which entered Saturday’s tip shooting a combined 72.7% from the field, has been rotating this season to give the Boilermakers a constant presence on the interior.
Both Edey and Williams picked up two fouls midway through the first half, forcing Painter to scrap his plan and play the final 8:26 of the half with both centers on the bench. The Tar Heels trailed 24-18 when Williams left the court, yet were unable to capitalize on the opportunity to cut into their deficit as they played the Boilermakers even during that closing stretch to enter halftime down 41-35.
Up Next
UNC will play No. 17 Tennessee in the Hall of Fame Tip-Off consolation game at the Mohegan Sun on Sunday (3:30 p.m./ESPN). The Volunteers lost to No. 5 Villanova, 71-53, on Saturday.
