NEW YORK — RJ Davis converted two crucial free throws in the final 13 seconds to help North Carolina turn around a substantial 16-point deficit, leading to a thrilling 76-74 win against No. 18 UCLA during the CBS Sports Classic held at Madison Square Garden.
Davis contributed 17 points, marking a key moment as he handed the Tar Heels (7-5) their first lead since the beginning of the game. Ian Jackson led all scorers with a personal best of 24 points, while Seth Trimble chipped in with 12 points and played a vital role in forcing a turnover from UCLA, which set up Davis’s game-winning free throws. The Tar Heels displayed impressive resilience, closing the game by outscoring the Bruins 33-15 over the last 12 minutes and shooting 46.8% from the field.
For UCLA (10-2), Tyler Bilodeau achieved a personal high with 26 points, but the team saw its nine-game winning streak come to an end. Sebastian Mack added another 22 points for the Bruins, who managed to shoot at 49.1% overall.
The game reached a pivotal moment when the Tar Heels tied it at 72 with a basket from Jalen Washington with 1:32 remaining. Following a missed 3-point attempt by Bilodeau, Mack hit two free throws to push UCLA ahead 74-72 with 48 seconds on the clock. Davis responded with a free throw to narrow the gap, and following a turnover forced by Trimble against Dylan Andrews, he secured the win by sinking two additional free throws to establish a 75-74 lead.
Key Observations:
North Carolina managed to recover despite matching their season high with 18 turnovers. On the other hand, Bilodeau was shooting 35.5% from the three-point line before the game, yet before his critical missed shot, he had started strong by making his first five attempts.
The turning point in the game came when UCLA was leading 59-45. Bilodeau received his fourth foul and had to sit out, allowing the Tar Heels to embark on a 20-9 run that saw them trailing just 68-65 by the time Bilodeau returned with 5:15 left.
Significant Statistic:
Despite their struggles, North Carolina showed grit by managing to shoot only 24 of 35 from the free-throw line, missing 11 attempts.
Looking Ahead:
North Carolina will host Campbell on December 29 for their final non-conference match before resuming ACC competition. Meanwhile, UCLA prepares to face No. 13 Gonzaga next Saturday, with the game taking place in the new home arena of the Los Angeles Clippers in Inglewood.
