UNC survives Louisville in overtime, 90-83
Posted February 1, 2022 9:04 p.m. EST
Updated February 2, 2022 4:30 p.m. EST
 North Carolina Tar Heels |
90 |
 Louisville Cardinals |
83 |
| F/OT | |
A team with an interim head coach that has lost six of its seven had nothing to lose, and Louisville (11-11, 5-7 ACC) played like it against North Carolina (16-6, 8-3 ACC). But their effort and spirit was not enough as UNC prevailed in overtime in a finish that had plenty of drama.
UNC led by just 1 at the break but quickly stretched it into a 10-point advantage with 12:35 to go, and it seemed like the Tar Heels would cruise.
But Louisville was having none of it.
The Cardinals went on a 17-3 run in a little less than six minutes and went up by four points with 6:17 remaining in the game. At that point, UNC seemed to be on the ropes.
Louisville held its lead until 2:38 remained and R.J. Davis hit a 3-pointer to put the Tar Heels back on top, 71-68. But Louisville scored four unanswered and took a 1-point lead when El Ellis made two free throws with 1:17 to go.
But Armando Bacot made a layup and drew a foul, converting on the free throw to put UNC up 74-72 with 49 seconds left. UNC turned it over with 17 seconds left and Ellis made a layup with 15 seconds to go to tie it up, then Davis had his game-winning attempt blocked with two seconds left.
Overtime stayed close, but after UNC went up 84-81 with 2:10 to go, things got ugly. It was a tough, physical game, and Bacot — who picked up his fourth foul with 5:47 to go — got tangled up with a player after a missed Louisville shot and Jae'Lyn Withers came in to intervene, pushing Bacot and drawing a technical foul. The call prompted Louisville fans to throw debris on the court after a lengthy review.
Caleb Love hit both free throws to give UNC a five-point lead, and that was basically that. Louisville would get no closer.
Louisville was in just its second game after it agreed mutually with Chris Mack to part ways. Interim head coach Mike Pegues had his team playing inspired basketball against Duke, but they were down a team leader in senior Malik Williams, who has been suspended indefinitely for a violation of team rules. Louisville has lost four straight and seven of eight.
UNC shot 43.7% but 12 of 26 from 3 (46.2%). Louisville shot 40% but made 15 of 35 3-pointers (42.9%).
Brady Manek led UNC with 24 points on 10 of 18 shooting, keeping UNC in it after Louisville rallied. Bacot had 19 points and 22 rebounds, while Davis had 18 and Love had 16.
Ellis led all scorers with 25 points on 8 of 21 shooting. Matt Cross had 13 points and 15 rebounds while Sydney Curry added 10 points and was a physical presence that bothered Bacot at times.
Next up, UNC will host No. 9 Duke on Saturday at 6 p.m. at the Smith Center. Both teams will come into the game on a four-game winning streak.
