Brice Johnson's career night lifts UNC to 106-90 win over Florida State

TALLAHASSEE, FLA. — The No. 6 North Carolina men's basketball team didn't trail in Monday's game against Florida State until the 15:49 mark in the second half. 

But as Malik Beasley grabbed the lead on a layup, the feeling inside the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center was that the Seminoles were set to take permanent control of the game. 

Brice Johnson had other ideas. 

On the Tar Heels' next trip down the floor, the 6-foot-10 senior forward from Orangeburg, S.C., drew a foul on Chris Koumadje, who punched the ball into the stands in frustration and subsequently earned a technical foul. 

Johnson missed both of his free throws, but Marcus Paige hit both technical foul shots to give UNC the lead — which Johnson made sure the Seminoles never tasted again. 

Over the next 3:14, the senior scored 11 straight points for the Tar Heels, grabbed three offensive rebounds and converted two three-point plays. 

This was the stretch that kept UNC (14-2, 3-0 ACC) from letting the game get away. It was also the microcosm of what ended up being a career night for Johnson in a 106-90 victory over the Seminoles (10-4, 0-2 ACC). 

"We had a guy on our team that kind of put us on his back for a while the whole game ... " Paige said. "And we've been roommates for four years. Other than Coach (Roy Williams), I'm pretty critical of him sometimes. I get on him because he's my boy, but I don't have anything to say — I'm speechless."

Paige, like many other players and coaches, could only speak in awe of Johnson's performance — 39 points and 23 rebounds in 37 minutes, all career highs.

Johnson became the second player in school history to score at least 39 points and record 23 rebounds in a game. He joins Billy Cunningham — who accomplished the feat against Maryland during the 1963-64 campaign and against Tulane the following season.

Even Williams, who has notoriously hounded Johnson since he first suited up as a Tar Heel, complimented the forward's play.

"I've been on his case for four years, and I'm still going to be on his case," Williams said. "But 39 points, 23 rebounds, that's a man's night."

Down the stretch, the Tar Heels, especially their big men, were plagued by foul trouble. Joel James had three fouls, and Isaiah Hicks picked up his fourth with over 16 minutes left in the game. With these issues, Williams opted for a smaller lineup, one that featured four perimeter players and Johnson on the inside. 

Florida State had to match UNC's size, allowing Johnson to set up shop in the paint. He made his mark from within three feet of the basket, trading his patented jump hooks and elbow jumpers for tip-ins and slam dunks. 

On the defensive glass, the senior took no prisoners. Using a combination of athletic ability, technical prowess and pure willpower, Johnson hauled in 16 defensive boards. Florida State only tallied 11 offensive rebounds. 

Monday night in enemy territory, Johnson was the spark plug. The savior. The player who made junior forward Kennedy Meeks shout, "Brice Johnson for president," in the visitor's locker room after the game.

And going forward, Johnson is ready to be whatever else the Tar Heels need him to be. 

"Being a senior, I have to be one of the leaders on this team and be able to step up in big time games like this is just something I need to do," he said. "If it takes me scoring 39 points and 23 rebounds for us to win I'll take it. If it takes me getting three points and nine rebounds like (against Clemson), we won. I'll take it."

@jbo_vernon

sports@dailytarheel.com