North Carolina Tar Heels Secure Fourth Straight Victory Against Florida State Seminoles
Image credits: Photo: Jim Hawkins / Inside Carolina
The North Carolina Tar Heels have secured their fourth straight victory, defeating the Florida State Seminoles 96-85 in an ACC basketball matchup. This win has improved the Tar Heels' chances of reaching the right side of the NCAA Tournament bubble. RJ Davis and Seth Trimble were the top scorers for UNC, with 20 and 17 points, respectively. The team had six players in double-digit scoring, including Jae'Lyn Withers, Elliot Cadeau, Ven-Allen Lubin, and Jalen Washington, who all contributed to the victory.
The Tar Heels were able to secure advantages in rebounding (35-21) and second-chance points (24-6) against the Seminoles, who are the fourth-tallest team nationally, according to Ken Pomeroy's college basketball database. Despite facing foul trouble, with Jalen Washington and Ven-Allen Lubin both picking up their fourth fouls, the Tar Heels were able to maintain their lead and come out on top. The Seminoles' standout big man, Malique Ewin, suffered a right ankle injury in the second half, which was a significant loss for the team. UNC was able to capitalize on this and build a 14-point lead on four occasions during the first 5½ minutes of the second half.
The Tar Heels' victory was also due to their extra effort in the first half, where they outworked and outfought the Seminoles, grabbing advantages in rebounding, second-chance points, and bench points. The team switched to a zone defense from man-to-man with about eight minutes remaining in the first half, which helped to slow down the Seminoles' offense. The Tar Heels had nine players make at least one shot from the field in the first half, with RJ Davis and Jalen Washington leading the team with seven points each. The team's collective effort and strategy were key factors in their success.
Here are the match scores and player statistics:
- UNC: 96
- FSU: 85
- RJ Davis: 20 points
- Seth Trimble: 17 points
- Jae'Lyn Withers: 11 points
- Elliot Cadeau: 10 points
- Ven-Allen Lubin: 10 points
- Jalen Washington: 10 points
The Tar Heels' upcoming schedule includes two home games, against Miami and another team to be determined. The team is 11-2 in home games this season and has won four straight at the Smith Center since falling to visiting Stanford in mid-January. With their current momentum, the Tar Heels are looking to secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament and make a deep run in the postseason.
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