Hurricanes Lose OT Thriller at No. 8 UNC, 88-85
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The University of Miami men’s basketball team took No. 8 North Carolina to the wire Saturday afternoon, but the Tar Heels outlasted UM, 88-85, in overtime in front of a full house of 21,383 at the Dean E. Smith Center. Sophomore guard Chris Lykes had a monster game for the Hurricanes (10-13, 2-9 ACC) with 27 points, including 19 after halftime.
Coby White scored a game-high 33 points, including seven 3-pointers, while Luke Maye added 20 points for UNC (19-4, 9-2). Maye hit a 3-pointer with 12 seconds remaining in regulation to even the score at 77, and Lykes had an opportunity for the game winner just before the buzzer, but his 3-pointer bounced off the front of the rim and sent the game to overtime.
In the extra session, the Hurricanes scored the first basket on an Anthony Lawrence II layup, but the Tar Heels ran off seven straight points and did not trail again. UM pulled to within 86-85 with 28 seconds left on a Zach Johnson corner 3-pointer but the Canes were unable to get off a potential tying shot in the waning seconds.
Led offensively by Lykes, who hit five 3-pointers on his way to 27 points, the Canes shot 32-of-68 (47.1 percent) from the field and 14-of-31 (45.2 percent) from 3-point range, as UM matched a season high in 3-pointers made. The Tar Heels hit on 31-of-66 (47.0 percent) from the field and 13-of-26 from beyond the arc. Miami became just the third to team to out-rebound North Carolina this season as the Canes held a 39-32 edge on the boards.
For the game, Lawrence (17 points), Johnson (13 points) and junior guard Dejan Vasiljevic (11 points) joined Lykes in double figures, while senior center Ebuka Izundu finished just shy of a double-double with nine points and 10 rebounds.
In an electrifying second half, the Hurricanes jumped in front 53-47 following a 13-0 run, which included a trio of 3-pointers by Lykes, redshirt senior Zach Johnson and senior Anthony Lawrence II. Overall, Miami outscored North Carolina 47-46 in the half with Miami converting on 10-of-17 (58.8 percent) from beyond the arc, while the Tar Heels shot 9-of-12 (75 percent) from long range.
In a nearly identical opening half for the Hurricanes and Tar Heels, Miami entered the locker room trailing by one, 31-30, shooting 37.5 percent (12-of-32) from the field, 18.2 percent (2-of-11) from 3-point range and a perfect 4-of-4 from the charity stripe. On the defensive end, the Hurricanes out-rebounded the Tar Heels, 24-18, while holding UNC to 12-of-33 (36.4 percent) from the field and 3-of-11 (27.3 percent) from beyond the arc. Lawrence took over the defensive glass in the frame, pulling down eight rebounds while also leading the team with nine first-half points.
The Hurricanes will return to action on Wednesday, when the team returns to the Watsco Center to battle Clemson at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN2.
To keep up with the University of Miami men’s basketball team on social media, follow @CanesHoops on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Game Notes
• Miami played its first overtime game of the season (first since Jan. 24, 2018, at Florida State).
• Miami has held a lead in the second half in 18 of its 23 games this season. The Canes used a 13-0 run to take a 53-47 lead at the 12:16 mark of the second half.
• Miami matched a season high with 14 3-pointers (also 14 in season opener against Lehigh).
• Miami out-rebounded UNC, 39-32, becoming just the third team to out-rebound the Tar Heels this season (Kentucky, Louisville).
• Chris Lykes (41), DJ Vasiljevic (40) and Ebuka Izundu (39) also set career high for minutes played.
• Chris Lykes scored 27 points, one off his career high which was set earlier this season against North Carolina State.
• Lykes reached double figures for the 20th time in 23 games this season and topped 20 points for the eighth time this season.
• Lykes hit a career-high five 3-pointers.
• Lykes is averaging 17.6 ppg in four career games against UNC.
• Zach Johnson scored 13 points and has scored 1,646 career points (1,344 at Florida Gulf Coast, 302 at Miami).
• With 10 rebounds, Ebuka Izundu reached double figures in boards for the ninth time this season.
• Anthony Lawrence II scored 17 points, two off his season high, set in the season opener against Lehigh.
• Anthony Mack made his sixth start of the season.
• Willie Herenton played a minute at the end of the first half, making his fifth appearance in conference play and ninth of the season.
• UNC guard Coby White’s 33-point effort is the most for a Miami opponent this season and since Florida State’s Xavier Rathan-Mayes hit for 35 against the Canes on Feb. 25, 2015.
