Feb. 07--Notre Dame hasn't lost back-to-back games since losing three straight at the end of the 2013-14 season, a span of 62 games.
The Irish are trying to keep that streak of no losing streaks alive Saturday at the Joyce Center against North Carolina, as in No. 2 North Carolina, but trail 39-30 at halftime after closing on an 8-2 run.
For the first time this season, Notre Dame failed to make a 3-pointer in the first half, going 0-for-6. The Irish shot just 9-for-33 overall (27.3 percent) to North Carolina's 15-for-31.
North Carolina's Marcus Paige did not have that problem. All 12 of his points arrived via the 3. Brice Johnson added six points and nine rebounds for the Tar Heels.
Notre Dame (15-7, 6-4 ACC) twice defeated the Tar Heels (19-3, 8-1) last season -- once by a point at Chapel Hill, N.C., and once by eight to win the ACC tournament in Greensboro, N.C.
The Irish are coming off a 79-70 loss Wednesday at Miami. The Tar Heels are trying to avoid back-to-back losses themselves after falling 71-65 Monday at Louisville.
"I don't think anyone's going to give us much of a chance Saturday, so let's play like we've got nothing to lose," Irish coach Mike Brey said earlier this week.
Before those two victories last year, Notre Dame was 4-18 all-time against the Tar Heels.
Brey said a third victory in a row could affect the dynamics of the planet.
"To win two in a row in the state of North Carolina was a little mindblowing," Brey said. "If you make it three in a row, maybe the Earth will rotate the wrong way on its axis."
pskrbina@tribpub.com
