North Carolina Tar Heels vs Portland Pilots Match Player Stats On Nov 23, 2017

The Sports Xchange
Nov 23, 2017

PORTLAND, Ore.-- It wasn't the best of starts for No. 9 North Carolina.

Facing an overmatched foe in Portland, the Tar Heels needed a full half to put away the Pilots as Luke Maye led North Carolina to a 102-78 victory in the first round of the Phil Knight 80 Invitational on Thursday.

Maye, North Carolina's leading scorer, finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds while Joel Berry II added 18 points, including 4 of 9 from beyond the arc.

Theo Pinson did a bit of everything for North Carolina (4-0), finishing with 11 points. He also added a game-high seven assists to go with nine rebounds. Kenny Williams added 17 points.

Portland (2-2) was led by Franklin Porter and his team-high 19 points. Leading scorer Josh McSwiggan, who entered the game averaging 14.3 points, was held in check by the Tar Heels' length and finished with six points.

Leading by just 48-35 at the break, North Carolina began the second half on a 14-0 run over the first three minutes to put the game away.

North Carolina's run to begin the second half was vintage Tar Heel basketball as the team used its length to rebound and outlet, switching from defense to offense before the Pilots could react. All five starters scored during the run.

The Tar Heels dominated the game down low, outrebounding the Pilots 51-33, including a 16-9 advantage on the offensive glass. North Carolina scored 52 points in the paint, limiting Portland to 26.

Throughout the first half when North Carolina appeared poised to pull away, defensive breakdowns kept giving the Pilots open 3-pointers -- which they made. Portland hit seven 3-pointers in the first half to stay within striking distance but eventually the length and athleticism of the Tar Heels prevailed.

With the win, North Carolina advances to the winner's bracket and will face the winner of Oklahoma-Arkansas on Friday.

Portland plays the loser of the Oklahoma-Arkansas game.

NOTES: Five North Carolina players scored in double-figures ... The Tar Heels dished out 22 assists ... North Carolina F Luke Maye scored 20 points for the third time in the past four games ... Gs Franklin Porter and Malcolm Porter are the sons of Portland head coach Terry Porter ... The floors appeared to be slick as the game was stopped six times in the first half to clean up moisture.