Tar Heels Overpower Kansas 87-74 with Strong Second Half
In a compelling showdown at the Smith Center, the No. 25 North Carolina Tar Heels defeated the No. 19 Kansas Jayhawks 87-74. After a shaky first half, the Tar Heels delivered a powerful second-half performance, shooting an impressive 66.7 percent.
Second Half Surge Leads Tar Heels to Victory
North Carolina entered the second half trailing 37-29 and struggled to find their rhythm initially. However, they quickly established control with a dominant 29-9 run. This surge allowed the Tar Heels to build a commanding 16-point lead, ultimately outscoring Kansas 58-37 in the second half.
Key Performers
- Caleb Wilson: Led the team with a season-high 24 points, shooting 9-for-12, alongside 10 rebounds, four assists, and four steals.
- Henri Veesaar: Contributed significantly with 20 points, four rebounds, and four assists.
- Seth Trimble: Scored 17 points and secured a game-high eight rebounds while effectively defending Kansas’ Darryn Peterson.
Darryn Peterson was a standout for Kansas, scoring 22 points, but his efforts were not enough to overcome the Tar Heels’ offensive onslaught.
Defensive Adjustments Pay Off
North Carolina head coach Hubert Davis noted a drastic change in defense after halftime. The Tar Heels, who had 10 turnovers in the first half leading to 17 points for Kansas, committed just one turnover in the second half. This shift allowed their offense to flourish.
“In the second half, we had great ball and player movement that allowed us to find lanes to attack,” Davis said. The Tar Heels ended the game shooting 51.5 percent overall, a significant improvement from their first-half performance.
Historical Context
This victory marked the Tar Heels’ first win against Kansas since November 27, 2002, and improved their record to 2-0 for the season. Kansas fell to 1-1, ending their five-game winning streak against North Carolina. This matchup was the first meeting in Chapel Hill between the two teams, with the series now even at 7-7.
Next Steps
North Carolina will continue its home stretch, facing Radford next on Tuesday at 7 p.m. This matchup promises to be pivotal as the Tar Heels aim to build on their strong start this season.
