A 25-point, 11-rebound double-double from Garrison Brooks wasn't enough to will the North Carolina men's basketball team (13-18, 6-14 ACC) past Duke (25-6, 15-5) in Saturday's 89-76 loss to the Blue Devils.
What happened?
It was a well-rounded effort by the Tar Heels to open Saturday night's game, with all five starters scoring in the first five minutes of fast-paced action. A soft jumper by Brooks near the basket cut Duke's lead to 12-11 with just over 15 minutes left in the first.
Coming out of the first media timeout, North Carolina seemed two steps behind the Blue Devils. A crowd-silencing 3-pointer from Brandon Robinson 12:58 left in the first half would only materialize after, among other big plays, a vicious slam from from Vernon Carey Jr.
Although, they never had a lead in the opening half, UNC never allowed Duke to completely pull away, guided by the post presence of Brooks and Armando Bacot. North Carolina's big men combined for 18 points and 12 rebounds when they weren't sidelined by foul trouble as the Tar Heels entered the halftime break down 42-34.
After UNC was outscored on the fast break 15-0 in the first half, the Tar Heels opened the second half by pounding the ball inside to feed Brooks and Bacot, drawing four fouls in the first three minutes.
North Carolina was able to shrink the deficit to 44-43 before a pair of threes from Justin Robinson sent Cameron Indoor Stadium into an uproar.
The two teams continued to trade blows until Bacot picked up his fourth foul with over 12 minutes remaining in the game and was sent to the bench. But despite the loss of the first-year who had 13 points and 11 rebounds in his first 20 minutes of action for what had to have felt like ages for the Tar Heels, Brooks was able to shoulder the burden of carrying the Tar Heels until the final eight minutes.
By the time Bacot returned to the game, it was too late. The Blue Devils knocked down a barrage of 3-pointers to extend their lead to 80-67 with 3:43 remaining,
