The North Carolina Tar Heels pulled off a stunning comeback win against the UCLA Bruins at Madison Square Garden, taking down their opponents 76-74 in thrilling fashion. Ian Jackson led the way with an impressive 24 points on efficient shooting from the field.
UCLA’s strong defensive presence forced numerous turnovers, but the Tar Heels were able to take better care of the ball in the second half, committing just seven miscues. The game-winning moment came when UCLA turned the ball over, allowing Carolina to draw a crucial foul from RJ Davis that ultimately sealed the win.
The Tar Heels’ defense also shone bright in the final minutes of the game, holding UCLA to just one field goal in an 8:57 stretch. This incredible defensive effort secured the victory for Carolina, capping off an unforgettable comeback.
However, the Tar Heels will face another challenge soon, as turnovers have become a recurring issue for Elliot Cadeau, who committed five mistakes on Saturday. This trend has been ongoing over the last seven games, with Cadeau now having committed at least four errors in six of those contests.
Coach Hubert Davis made an interesting move during halftime, starting the second half with a quintet of RJ Davis, Cadeau, Jackson, Trimble, and Ty Claude in a four-guard set. This lineup adjustment seemed to spark a renewed sense of purpose for the team, as they were able to mount a convincing comeback.
The Tar Heels’ winning streak has also taken them to 7-4 overall in the CBS Sports Classic, with their unbeaten record against UCLA standing at an impressive 3-0. The team will now take some time off before reassembling in Chapel Hill on December 26 to prepare for their next match against Campbell, followed by a full slate of ACC games starting January 1 in Louisville.
Source: https://goheels.com/news/2024/12/21/lucas-ucla-rapid-reactions