Veesaar, Wilson Propel 85-70 Victory Against St. Bonaventure

In a commanding performance, No. 16 North Carolina overcame St. Bonaventure with a final score of 85-70 during the Fort Myers Tip-Off on Tuesday evening. This win marked the Tar Heels’ sixth consecutive victory this season, as they continue to build momentum early in the campaign.

Player Highlights

Henri Veesaar led the team with a standout performance, scoring a career-high 24 points and securing 13 rebounds. He also contributed three assists. Caleb Wilson recorded his fourth consecutive double-double, finishing with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Other notable contributors included Kyan Evans with 11 points and Luka Bogavac, who added 10 points along with four assists.

Game Progression

The first half ended with Carolina narrowly in front, leading 35-33. Despite their early lead of 11 points, turnovers allowed St. Bonaventure to stay close. The Bonnies took advantage of Carolina’s 11 first-half turnovers, converting them into 10 points.

• First Half Key Stats:
• Carolina shot well, achieving a lead with a strong initial run of 15-2.
• Both Veesaar and Wilson were instrumental with significant scoring and rebounding efforts.

In stark contrast, the second half saw Carolina take control. They shot 53.3% in this period, while St. Bonaventure struggled offensively. Carolina quickly expanded their lead to as much as 11 points, thanks to a 9-0 scoring run.

• Second Half Key Stats:
• UNC committed only two turnovers, preventing SBU from capitalizing.
• The Tar Heels also excelled at the free-throw line, successfully converting 21 of 27 attempts.

Recent Performance

With this victory, North Carolina continues its trend of success, improving to 6-0 for the season. This start is particularly notable as it ties with their best run since the NCAA championship season of 2016-17. Under head coach Hubert Davis, the team maintains a remarkable record of 39-1 when shooting 50% or better from the field.

In contrast, St. Bonaventure’s record now stands at 5-1. Carolina’s dominance on the boards, out-rebounding the Bonnies 40-31, was another key factor in their victory.

Looking Ahead

North Carolina’s next matchup in the Fort Myers Tip-Off is against Michigan State. This highly anticipated game will take place on Thanksgiving Thursday at 4:30 PM, broadcast live on FOX.