North Carolina Beats Elon In Chapel Hill
Before heading to the Bahamas North Carolina finished their homestand against Elon with a win.
Those newcomers at No. 5 North Carolina were playing like freshmen — and, really, the upperclassmen were too — during yet another sluggish start. “according to https://goheels.com/news/2019/11/20/mens-basketball-tar-heels-vs-elon.aspx
The big men took it upon themselves to demand the ball — and dominate down low. “according to https://goheels.com/news/2019/11/20/mens-basketball-tar-heels-vs-elon.aspx
Armando Bacot had season highs of 22 points and 14 rebounds, Garrison Brooks added 14 points and the slow-starting Tar Heels beat Elon 75-61 on Wednesday night. “according to https://goheels.com/news/2019/11/20/mens-basketball-tar-heels-vs-elon.aspx
Bacot said coach Roy Williams "talked to me and Garrison and was like, 'We need to dominate in the paint.'" “according to https://goheels.com/news/2019/11/20/mens-basketball-tar-heels-vs-elon.aspx
"So we just told all the guards to get the ball and feed us," Bacot added.
As a result, fellow freshman Cole Anthony flirted with North Carolina's first triple-double in 19 years. He finished with nine points, 10 rebounds and a season-high eight assists for North Carolina (4-0), which hasn't had a player with a triple-double since Brendan Haywood and Jason Capel each did it 10 days apart in December 2000. “according to https://goheels.com/news/2019/11/20/mens-basketball-tar-heels-vs-elon.aspx
And yet, in a sign of how high Anthony's ceiling is, Williams called it a bad night for his star guard, who was 4 of 14 from the field with four turnovers. “according to https://goheels.com/news/2019/11/20/mens-basketball-tar-heels-vs-elon.aspx
"I've seen some really good players, and he's got a chance to be one of the best I've ever seen," Williams said. "But I also know when good players stink and that was him about half the game." “according to https://goheels.com/news/2019/11/20/mens-basketball-tar-heels-vs-elon.aspx
The Tar Heels were 30½-point favorites who a year ago beat Elon on the road by 49 points. They trailed at halftime for the second time this season before opening the second half with a Bacot-led 21-5 run that pushed the lead into double figures, and wound up outrebounding Elon 56-25.”according to https://goheels.com/news/2019/11/20/mens-basketball-tar-heels-vs-elon.aspx
Marcus Sheffield scored 19 points for the Phoenix (2-3), who lost their third straight — all to power-conference schools — while shooting 28% in the second half. Hunter Woods added 18 and his 3-pointer with 2½ minutes left pulled Elon to 68-61. Bacot — who had 18 points in the second half — followed with two buckets to re-establish the Tar Heels' double-figure lead.”according to https://goheels.com/news/2019/11/20/mens-basketball-tar-heels-vs-elon.aspx
While North Carolina won. Elon suffered a loss.
The Phoenix was led by senior guard Marcus Sheffield II who poured in 19 points, grabbing four rebounds and dishing out three assists. This marked the fifth consecutive game that Sheffield has scored in double figures. “according to https://elonphoenix.com/news/2019/11/21/mens-basketball-no-5-north-carolina-outlasts-elon-75-61-on-wednesday.aspx
Elon also go major contributions from freshman forward Hunter Woods, who chipped in 18 points and three assists, while also leading the team in rebounds with seven. The 18 points marked a new career-high for Woods. “according to https://elonphoenix.com/news/2019/11/21/mens-basketball-no-5-north-carolina-outlasts-elon-75-61-on-wednesday.aspx
UNC was led by forward Armando Bacot, who recorded game-highs in points (22) and rebounds (14). “according to https://elonphoenix.com/news/2019/11/21/mens-basketball-no-5-north-carolina-outlasts-elon-75-61-on-wednesday.aspx
HIGHLIGHTS
Elon came out of the gates firing early in the first half. A Federico Poser layup on the game's opening possession followed by a Simon Wright triple sparked an early 11-4 run by the Phoenix. Hunter Woods hit back-to-back threes on the run to give Elon a seven-point advantage within the opening three minutes.”according to https://elonphoenix.com/news/2019/11/21/mens-basketball-no-5-north-carolina-outlasts-elon-75-61-on-wednesday.aspx
From that point, UNC cut the lead down to three with just under 15 minutes to play in the opening half. With the score sitting at 14-11 Elon, Marcus Sheffield hit a tough turnaround jumper plus the foul to ignite a quick 6-0 Phoenix run. Zac Ervin's deep three with 14:06 remaining in the half gave Elon their largest lead of the night at 20-11.
With both sides trading baskets over the next few minutes, a Hunter Woods steal and lead pass led to a thunderous Marcus Sheffield dunk over a UNC defender. The slam put Elon on top 22-16 with 12:25 until the half.”according to https://elonphoenix.com/news/2019/11/21/mens-basketball-no-5-north-carolina-outlasts-elon-75-61-on-wednesday.aspx
After a quick UNC run, both teams battled for the lead for the final eight minutes of the first half. Elon entered the half leading 33-32 over the No. 5 ranked team in the nation.”according to https://elonphoenix.com/news/2019/11/21/mens-basketball-no-5-north-carolina-outlasts-elon-75-61-on-wednesday.aspx
The Tar Heels returned from halftime and went on an early run to take a 15-point lead with just under 13 minutes remaining in the game. With the Phoenix trailing by 14 at the 10-minute mark, two Hunter Woods free throws and a Federico Poser bucket brought Elon back within 10.”according to https://elonphoenix.com/news/2019/11/21/mens-basketball-no-5-north-carolina-outlasts-elon-75-61-on-wednesday.aspx
With 5:53 left to play in the contest and Elon trailing by 16, Marcus Sheffield knocked down a tough three pointer to spark an 8-0 Phoenix run. During the run, Zac Ervin came up with back-to-back big plays by grabbing an offensive rebound and finishing in the paint, before coming up with a steal that led to a Hunter Woods triple. The spurt cut UNC's lead to 8 with 3:35 remaining in the game.”according to https://elonphoenix.com/news/2019/11/21/mens-basketball-no-5-north-carolina-outlasts-elon-75-61-on-wednesday.aspx
Elon cut the deficit down to as little as seven with just over two minutes to play but UNC eventually pulled out the win 75-6 “according to https://elonphoenix.com/news/2019/11/21/mens-basketball-no-5-north-carolina-outlasts-elon-75-61-on-wednesday.aspx
North Carolina will return to action November 27th in the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas against Alabama.