by By Quentin Johnson | December 21, 2024
NEW YORK, N.Y.— North Carolina mounted a thrilling second-half comeback to defeat No. 18 UCLA, 76-74, in the CBS Sports Classic at Madison Square Garden on Saturday afternoon. Trailing by 16 points with under 13 minutes remaining, the Tar Heels surged to victory, leading for just 50 seconds of the game but making them count.
Game Recap
UNC’s relentless second-half effort saw them shoot 57% from the field and hold UCLA without a field goal for the final 3:42 of the game. The Tar Heels trailed 59-43 before outscoring the Bruins 33-15 down the stretch to snap UCLA’s nine-game winning streak and improve to 7-5 on the season.
Freshman Ian Jackson, playing in front of his hometown crowd at Madison Square Garden, delivered a career-high 24 points on 8-of-13 shooting, including three three-pointers. His performance marked the most points by a UNC freshman since Caleb Love’s 25 against Duke in 2021.
“The energy here was electric,” Jackson said. “Playing in the Garden was a dream come true, and doing it in front of family made it even better.”
RJ Davis contributed 17 points, including three clutch free throws in the final 22 seconds to seal the win. Seth Trimble added 12 points and a pivotal steal in the closing moments, which set up Davis’s game-winning free throws.
UCLA’s Strong Start
The Bruins dominated the first half, shooting 53.3% from the floor and forcing 11 Tar Heel turnovers. Tyler Bilodeau led all scorers with 26 points, hitting 5-of-6 from beyond the arc. Sebastian Mack added 22 points, with 16 coming in the first half. UCLA built a 40-27 halftime lead and extended it to 16 points early in the second half.
However, UNC’s defense clamped down in the final minutes, holding the Bruins to 43.9% shooting in the second half and forcing critical mistakes.
Turning Points
• Ian Jackson’s Breakout: Jackson’s jumper with 6:10 remaining cut UCLA’s lead to one, sparking a Tar Heel rally.
• Jalen Washington’s Equalizer: Washington tied the game at 72 with 1:32 left, completing UNC’s climb back into contention.
• Trimble’s Steal: Down by one with under 30 seconds to play, Trimble intercepted an inbound pass, leading to Davis’s game-sealing free throws.
Key Stats
• UNC Offense: Shot 46.8% from the field, including 57% in the second half.
• Rebounding Edge: Out-rebounded UCLA 34-28, with seven offensive boards leading to a 13-2 advantage in second-chance points.
• UCLA’s Struggles: The Bruins failed to score a field goal in the final 3:42 and committed crucial late turnovers.
Coach’s Thoughts
“Down the stretch, we got stops, made the shots, and hit our free throws,” said head coach Hubert Davis. “This was a testament to our growth and resilience.”
Historical Notes
• UNC improved to 7-4 in CBS Sports Classic games, including a 3-0 record against UCLA • The Tar Heels are now 12-3 all-time against UCLA, with wins in their last seven meetings.
What’s Next?
North Carolina will look to build on this momentum as they approach ACC play, while UCLA, now 10-2, will regroup as they prepare for the grind of Pac-12 competition.
For UNC, this comeback victory signals their potential as a team capable of thriving under pressure. For UCLA, it’s a reminder of the importance of closing games strong against elite competition.
