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Georgia Rallies Past North Carolina, 78-70, for First Win in Chapel Hill
By Piper Rampage
Photo: Chad Davis / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Georgia erased a nine-point second-half deficit and closed with a 17-6 run to defeat North Carolina 78-70 at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, on Friday night, earning the program’s first-ever victory in nine trips to Chapel Hill.
Kanon Catchings led Georgia with 22 points and 11 rebounds, while Blue Cain added 20 points and seven rebounds, according to USA Today Tar Heel Wire and the Athens Banner-Herald. The Bulldogs improved to 4-0, while North Carolina fell to 3-1.
Georgia held a 38-31 halftime advantage after outscoring the Tar Heels 38-31 in the opening period. North Carolina responded after the break, outscoring Georgia 29-13 to open the second half and taking a 60-51 lead with 10:35 remaining.
The Bulldogs then mounted their comeback, gradually taking control down the stretch. Catchings put Georgia ahead for good with two free throws with 2:11 left. He followed that with a 3-pointer at the 1:42 mark, extending the Bulldogs’ advantage to 72-68.
Cain added a timely shot of his own, connecting from 3-point range with 1:00 remaining to make it 75-70. Georgia maintained its lead the rest of the way, completing the 17-6 closing stretch and securing the eight-point road win.
Catchings’ late scoring helped cap a performance that included a double-double, while Cain’s 20 points gave Georgia another major scoring contributor. Terrence Brown led North Carolina with 21 points, but the Tar Heels struggled offensively, shooting 32.9% for the game, according to USA Today Tar Heel Wire and the Athens Banner-Herald.
The result carried additional significance for Georgia. The victory was the Bulldogs’ first in nine all-time trips to North Carolina and snapped the Tar Heels’ 21-game home winning streak.
Georgia left Chapel Hill unbeaten at 4-0, while North Carolina’s first loss of the season dropped it to 3-1. Attendance at the Dean Smith Center was 16,041.
Piper Rampage
Men’s College Basketball, The Library Media
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