Late Run Gives Hurricanes 81-70 Win Over No. 20 Tar Heels

Jan. 14, 2006

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) – Guillermo Diaz scored 24 points – including a clutch 3-pointer with 1:37 left – to help Miami upset No. 20 North Carolina 81-70 on Saturday.

Robert Hite also had 24 points for the Hurricanes (10-6, 2-1 Atlantic Coast Conference), who earned their first win in six tries in Chapel Hill and beat the Tar Heels (10-3, 2-1) for just the second time.

The Hurricanes also recorded consecutive wins against ranked opponents for the first time, following last week’s 84-70 win against then-No. 14 Maryland.

Freshman Tyler Hansbrough scored 25 points to lead the Tar Heels, while Reyshawn Terry added 18.

North Carolina had won its first two ACC games with solid play down the stretch, scoring the final 13 points in an 82-69 win against North Carolina State and making the key plays in the final minute to hold off Virginia Tech 64-61.

This time, however, the young squad had a setback in its trial-by-fire introduction to the ACC. The Hurricanes controlled the final 4 1/2 minutes, scoring 12 straight points to rally from a three-point deficit in a game in which they appeared to be the more aggressive team most of the way.

Miami shot just 38 percent, but took a 43-34 rebounding advantage against a North Carolina team that had outrebounded opponents by an ACC-best 9.5 per game. That included a 21-11 edge on the offensive glass, which led to plenty of second shots – including one possession in which Miami came away empty after five shots.

Trailing 62-59, Hite hit three free throws to tie it with 4:31 left after he was fouled on a 3-pointer by Danny Green. That started the 12-0 spurt, with Miami going ahead to stay when Diaz found Anthony Harris for a 3 on the next possession for a 65-62 lead with 3:46 left.

Later, with the shot clock winding down, Diaz hit a stepback 3 against Wes Miller for a 71-62 lead with 1:37 left that effectively sealed it.