North Carolina Outlasts NC State in Rivalry Showdown
Ian Jackson scored 21 points going five for eight from the three-point line and Jalen Washington notched his first double-double of his career as North Carolina pulled away from NC State late to win, 63-61 on Saturday afternoon. RJ Davis had 11 points and Washington blocked the potential game-tying shot to preserve the win for the Tar Heels. This was the third straight win for the Tar Heels who have started 2025 on a hot streak after a disappointing start to their season. UNC shot 43 percent from the field in a sloppy and competitive game that defines this rivalry. The Tar Heels now have won seven of their last nine games and look to continue their winning streak with a pretty, manageable schedule coming up.
Affectionately known as “Captain Jack” Jackson has been the Tar Heels' best and most consistent player this season. The freshman averages 15 points a game and shoots 50 percent from the field. He also is the first Carolina freshman to have scored 23 or more points in four consecutive games. Carolina ended a messy first half on a 12-3 run to go up 26-20 at halftime. A fierce game where both teams had double-digit turnovers and shot the ball horribly in the first half turned into a competitive, physical game in the second half. Both teams shot the ball well in a back-and-forth game where the outcome was decided in the last few minutes.
Every time North Carolina tried to pull away, the Wolfpack fought back as they forced 12 turnovers to cut into the deficit. Marcus Hill led NC State with 20 points including scoring the first 10 points for them to start the game. Jayden Taylor had 12 points as NC State managed to take a one-point lead with 3:13 to go before Jackson hit a three- pointer from the right wing to take a 61-59 lead. Hill drove to the lane for a layup to tie the game, but a turnover on their next possession doomed the Wolfpack. Washington on the Tar Heels' next two possessions dunked the ball on one end and swatted the ball away as the buzzer sounded to seal the win for the Tar Heels.
The Tar Heels, who are 11-6 on the season, are starting to hit their stride as they have found something by playing small ball with four guards and one center. However, they still need to figure out their turnover problem if they want to compete with the nationally ranked teams in the country. North Carolina next faces the two newest faces to the Atlantic Coast Conference in California and Stanford. The Heels will face the Golden Bears next Wednesday and the Cardinal on Saturday afternoon.
