By Brian Murphy, WRAL

North Carolina State Wolfpack	73
North Carolina Tar Heels	97
Final

Chapel Hill, N.C. — North Carolina opened the Smith Center doors to anyone who could get to the Chapel Hill venue during Wednesday’s snowstorm.

No ticket needed.

And then the Tar Heels’ men’s basketball team treated those who braved the elements to quite a display, trouncing rival NC State 97-73.

The Tar Heels (16-11, 9-6 ACC) led by as many as 30 points in a dominant performance against the Wolfpack, which was overmatched throughout the contest and particularly in the first half. UNC led 54-26 at halftime. NC State (10-16, 3-12) has lost 10 of its last 11 games.

“It was one of our most, if not the most, complete game that we’ve played all season,” UNC coach Hubert Davis said. “Our energy, our effort, our attention to detail on both ends of the floor was really good.”

Some of that came from the crowd.

The winter storm blanketed much of the Triangle with snow throughout the day Wednesday. Chapel Hill received more than three inches. Classes were canceled on both campuses Wednesday and Thursday. Chapel Hill Transit suspended service Wednesday afternoon.

But NC State arrived in Chapel Hill early in the day and crews worked to clear the area around the Smith Center for fans. Still, UNC encouraged fans that needed to drive to the arena to watch from home and allowed anyone who showed up into the game.

Davis: One of our most, if not the most complete game all season

The lower bowl was filled, mostly with students, and fans even spilled into the upper deck. And it was certainly livelier than a typical UNC crowd. Of course, there was plenty to cheer about — including an alley-oop from RJ Davis to Drake Powell late in the second half that served as an exclamation point.

“Their energy was incredible, and we had no choice but to feed of it,” said Seth Trimble, who had 15 points and seven rebounds off the bench.

Trimble said the energy just felt different — even if it was not at capacity. Both Hubert Davis and RJ Davis said they felt the energy.

Kevin Keatts: ‘Very disappointed in our first half’

It was an unusual scene, but not unprecedented. UNC has allowed those without a ticket to attend snow games in 1994 and in 2000 — both times against Maryland. The 2000 game led to the school adding student seating on the baseline.

It was a much-needed performance by the Tar Heels, who are in need of a late-season surge to reach the NCAA Tournament. They are seen as outside of the 68-team field at the moment.

The Tar Heels made 7-of-15 3-point attempts in the first half, including two makes from Jae’Lyn Withers and Cade Tyson as they built their big lead. NC State never got closer than 20 points in the second half.

“We dug a huge hole,” Keatts said. “It was hard to come back.”

Davis led UNC with 21 points, one of four players in double figures. Ven-Allen Lubin had 13 points, all in the second half. UNC set season bests against ACC competition in field goal percentage (57.4%), rebound margin (plus-19) and bench points (43 points).

The Tar Heels also utilized their press to good results in the first half. Entering the game, NC State led the ACC and was eighth nationally in fewest turnovers per game at 9.2. The Wolfpack turned it over nine times in the first half alone.

“It’s something that’s just really been good for us and it’s something that we’re going to use every game,” Hubert Davis said.

After a particularly ugly second-half turnover by freshman Trey Parker, NC State coach Kevin Keatts simply fell to his knees by the Wolfpack bench. It was the Wolfpack’s lone second-half turnover.

Jayden Taylor led NC State with 19 points. Former UNC player Dontrez Styles, who played at Georgetown before transferring to NC State, scored 18 points. Styles said it was the worst he’s felt after a loss this season.

“I’m glad they feel that way because I do too,” Keatts said.

NC State is in danger of not qualifying for the 15-team ACC Tournament. The Wolfpack sits two league wins behind Notre Dame, California and Syracuse. NC State needs to pass one of them, plus remain ahead of Boston College and Miami.

UNC defeated NC State 63-61 earlier in the season in Raleigh.

Source: wralsportsfan.com