CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — RJ Davis scored a career-high 26 points, and No. 19 North Carolina battled through 40 minutes of relentless competition from Brown, outlasting the Ivy League foe 94-87 on Friday night.
Armando Bacot had 22 points on 10-of-11 shooting and 10 rebounds for the Tar Heels (2-0), who trailed by as many as seven points and never led by more than eight.
North Carolina trailed by two with 7:14 remaining before Davis powered an 18-9 run, making four 3-pointers and a pair of free throws in the burst. He finished 9 of 17 from the floor and 6 of 9 from 3-point range.
Dan Friday had 21 points and five assists for Brown, which built its biggest advantage late in the first half and led 50-47 at halftime. Nana Owusu-Anane scored 20 points for the Bears.
Brady Manek came off the bench to score 14 points for North Carolina, and Caleb Love added 13 points, including two free throws with 27 seconds remaining that sealed the win.
BIG PICTURE
Brown: The Bears' 2020-21 season was canceled because of the pandemic, and they have 10 new players. Brown still showed it had the talent to compete with a top Atlantic Coast Conference team. Brown was picked to finish fifth in the Ivy League but could outperform those expectations if it plays like it did on Friday.
North Carolina: In Hubert Davis' second game as the Tar Heels' coach, his team showed it could hold off a persistent opponent.
UP NEXT
Brown: Hosts Central Connecticut on Sunday.
North Carolina: Plays its first road game of the season at Charleston on Tuesday.
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