NEW YORK (AP) — RJ Davis tied it and made the go-ahead free throw with 13 seconds remaining, and North Carolina erased a 16-point deficit for a 76-74 victory over No. 18 UCLA on Saturday during the CBS Sports Classic at Madison Square Garden.
Davis scored 16 points and gave the Tar Heels (7-5) their first lead since the opening minutes. Ian Jackson scored a career-high 24 points. Seth Trimble added 12 and forced a UCLA turnover that allowed Davis’ free throws as North Carolina outscored UCLA 33-15 over the final 12 minutes and shot 46.8% .
Tyler Bilodeau tied a career high with 26 points, but the Bruins (10-2) snapped a nine-game winning streak. Sebastian Mack added 22 for UCLA, which shot 49.1%.
The Tar Heels forged a 72-all tie with 1:32 left on a Jalen Washington basket. After Bilodeau missed a 3, Mack made two free throws for a 74-72 lead with 48 seconds left. Davis made a free throw to cut it to one point, and after Trimble forced a turnover on Dylan Andrews, Davis hit two more for a 75-74 advantage.
Takeaways
North Carolina: The Tar Heels overcame a season with 18 turnovers.
UCLA: Bilodeau entered the game with a 35.5% shooting rate from 3 and made his first five attempts before his critical miss.
Key moment
The Bruns led 59-45 when Bilodeau was forced to return to the bench following his fourth foul with 11:45 to play. The Tar Heels went on a 20-9 run until Bilodeau came back with 5:15 to play and trailed 68-65.
Key statistic
North Carolina held off missing 11 of 35 free throws.
To be continued
North Carolina hosts Campbell on Dec. 29 in its final non-conference game before continuing ACC play. UCLA faces No. 13 Gonzaga next Saturday at the Los Angeles Clippers’ new home in Inglewood.
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