BLACKSBURG, Va. - One second can seem like a world of time, and no team knows that better than Virginia Tech, which lost a heartbreaker to Duke on a halfcourt buzzer-beater last month.
So as Hokies forward Deron Washington launched a fadeaway 3-pointer to try to tie his team's contest against No. 20 North Carolina in the final second, UNC's David Noel made sure to defend Washington with caution.
"I was just saying, 'Don't go in, don't go in,' and told everybody not to foul them," Noel said. "If they had to make a halfcourt shot to tie the game, then so be it, but no dumb fouls."
Washington's shot fell just short, answering Noel's prayer and allowing the Tar Heels to escape with a 64-61 win at Cassell Coliseum on Tuesday.
North Carolina (10-2, 2-0 in the ACC) overcame a 25-turnover night and sluggish offensive play with clutch free throws, key rebounds and a steady effort on the defensive end.
"It's weird to look at the stat sheet and how we can win with 25 turnovers, but I loved our guys' poise after the first four minutes of the second half," said UNC coach Roy Williams. "The first four minutes of the second half were about as miserable as it could possibly be, but when we didn't turn it over we had good poise and made shots."
Williams let his team know just how miserable he felt after that four-minute stint by making a mass substitution and lighting into his starters during an early timeout. Six turnovers on the Tar Heels' first seven possessions opened the door for the Hokies (10-6, 0-3) to start the half with a 7-0 run and regain the lead.
But UNC responded, as Noel, Tyler Hansbrough and Wes Miller provided exceptional inside-outside play by scoring the team's next 15 points and helping to create a 51-48 lead with nine minutes remaining.
In the game's final frantic moments, the trio continued to play a key role. With 15 seconds left and UNC up by two, Miller flung a 3-pointer to beat the shot clock, but it fell short. Noel kept the ball alive until Reyshawn Terry grabbed it and was fouled.
