CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., — North Carolina had 20 minutes to make up a nine-point halftime deficit, but the way Virginia ended the first half Monday encapsulated how Virginia would dismantle UNC — converting on offensive rebounds.
With less than a minute left in the first half, Virginia guard Anthony Gill pulled down an offensive rebound. Later in the possession, Joe Harris found freshman point guard London Perrantes in the corner, and Perrantes knocked down a 3-pointer, which coach Roy Williams called a dagger.
“We had some offensive rebounds in the first half, but we didn’t finish,” said Williams after the 76-61 UNC loss.
In the first half, Virginia turned five offensive rebounds into nine points, including Perrantes’ 3-pointer. The Tar Heels pulled down nine offensive boards and turned them into just four points.
“We’ve got to be more attentive to finish the play instead of worrying about getting fouled,” Williams said.
“So many times we’re worrying about where the defensive player is or not exploding up as much as we can and being a little hesitant.”
If Perrantes’ shot was the dagger, Virginia’s 6-foot-11 center Mike Tobey turned the knife to open the second half. After a scoreless first half, Tobey opened up the second half with six quick points, including a basket off an offensive rebound from Akil Mitchell. Mitchell finished the game with 11 rebounds. Following Tobey’s outburst, UNC trailed 47-33 and never recovered.
UNC finished the game with 16 second-chance points on 17 offensive rebounds.
The lack of conversions overshadowed an otherwise sound performance by freshman center Kennedy Meeks , who led UNC with 15 points and nine rebounds.
