CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — After an enormous first half, RJ Davis noticed no purpose to again off.
Davis poured in 4 straight 3-pointers throughout a riveting second-half stretch on his technique to a career-high 42 factors, and No. 9 North Carolina held off skidding Miami 75-71 on Monday night time.
“I type of felt good many of the recreation,” Davis mentioned. “Got here out sizzling. I advised myself since I had a superb first half to proceed to remain on it. I used to be aggressive, and pictures have been falling. For me to have a efficiency like that tonight means the world to me.”
Davis, a senior guard, set a Smith Middle scoring report, surpassing the 40 factors by former Tar Heels All-American Tyler Hansbrough towards Georgia Tech in 2006.
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Davis was the one participant for the Tar Heels (22-6, 14-3 Atlantic Coast Convention) to attain in double figures, marking simply the fourth time prior to now 25 seasons that UNC received a recreation with just one participant in double figures and the primary time since 2011, in line with ESPN Stats & Data analysis.
“It wasn’t simply his factors,” Tar Heels coach Hubert Davis mentioned. “I assumed he was nice defensively, took care of the ball. We wanted each little bit of his 42.”
Norchad Omier had 22 factors, Bensley Joseph scored 21 and Kyshawn George added 14 to steer Miami (15-14, 6-12), which misplaced its seventh recreation in a row.
Omier missed a hook shot within the lane that would have tied the rating with about 45 seconds left. Then twice within the final 25 seconds, North Carolina secured offensive rebounds off missed free throws.
“That was a valiant effort on our half,” Miami coach Jim Larranaga mentioned. “RJ Davis had a solution each time we made a run.”
North Carolina, with three regular-season video games remaining, stretched its ACC result in 1½ video games over second-place Duke.
Davis racked up probably the most factors for a Tar Heels participant since Shammond Williams scored 42 in a 1998 double-overtime win at Georgia Tech.
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“He put us on his again and took over the sport,” North Carolina ahead Harrison Ingram mentioned. “RJ took the ball and [let’s] see what he does.”
Miami bought shut after trailing 64-50, even with Davis finishing his outburst with 4 3-pointers in barely greater than three minutes for a 13-point UNC lead earlier than the four-minute mark.
“I am simply locked in, simply assured in myself and my shot,” he mentioned.
Earlier within the second half, North Carolina went forward 50-38 earlier than Miami rattled off the subsequent eight factors.
Davis, who has scored 20 or extra factors in a half 4 occasions this season, propelled the Tar Heels to a 37-32 lead on the break. He scored 18 of North Carolina’s first 28 factors.
He was coming off his second-lowest level complete (12) of the season on Saturday at Virginia.
“I imagine in myself,” Davis mentioned. “I imagine in my work. And coming into this recreation, I knew I used to be going to be good when it comes to taking pictures the ball.”
The sport marked the biggest hole in North Carolina historical past between its main scorer and second-leading scorer (Ingram had eight factors).
The Related Press contributed to this report.
