CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — North Carolina had arguably its best offensive performance this season in the second half of its 80-73 win over Wake Forest Wednesday in the Dean E. Smith Center.
The Tar Heels (9-5, 4-3 ACC) shot a season-high 54.8% in the second half. That performance was powered by forward Armando Bacot scoring 14 of his 18 points and Caleb Love netting 12 of his career-high 20 points after halftime.
UNC coach Roy Williams said he emphasized during halftime getting the ball inside because he thought his players weren’t utilizing their size advantage in the frontcourt enough.
“I’d like them to get the ball every single time,” Williams said. “At halftime, Wake Forest’s post players had zero fouls.”
The Heels did a much better job of focusing on touches for the post in the second half and it opened up quality shots for everyone else.
Love had struggled since scoring his season-high 17 points in the opener against College of Charleston. But his play of late seems to indicate he’s beginning to find a shooting rhythm. Love was 7 for 12 from the field including two 3-pointers. He entered the game shooting 21% from behind the arc, but has made 10 of his last 25 attempts from 3 over the past six games.
“He made strides against FSU (Florida State) and tonight,” Bacot said. “I hope it can be a springboard.”
Wake stayed close as it bombarded the Tar Heels with 3-pointers. The Deacons made eight of their 13 overall in the second half. And when Day’Ron Sharpe was slow to rotate to protect the rim on a Daivien Williamson drive, Wake cut its deficit to 62-59 with 5:44 left.
That’s when Carolina showed the intensity it lacked much of the first half. Leaky Black made a jumper from the left wing. Love rebounded his own miss and was fouled while converting it. Love completed a three-point play that led directly into UNC using full court pressure.
R.J. Davis got a steal off Isaiah Mucius from their trap and Black flipped the ball to Bacot streaking down the lane for a dunk. The 7-0 spurt gave Carolina a 69-59 lead and Wake could never get closer than seven the remaining 4:45.
The Deacons (3-6, 0-6) got career-highs from Mucius and Williamson who each had 27 points. Williams called Williamson “hard to handle,” but saved his biggest praise for Wake coach Steve Forbes. The Deacs have been competitive and even had second half leads in all of the ACC games they’ve lost.
“He’s doing a really good job in a difficult situation,” Williams said.
