N. Carolina drubs N.C. State behind Bacot's double-double

Published Jan. 29, 2022 4:32 p.m. ET

Associated Press

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Armando Bacot recorded his 16th double-double of the season, scoring 18 points and grabbing 13 rebounds, and North Carolina beat North Carolina State 100-80 on Saturday.

It was the fourth game in eight days for the Tar Heels (15-6, 7-3 ACC) who have won three straight. The Tar Heels never trailed in a contest in which the members of the 1981-82 national championship team were honored before tip-off.

North Carolina put up a season-high 56 points before halftime on the strength of 10-for-15 shooting from 3-point range and finished 15 for 27 from behind the arc.

Brady Manek led the first-half blitz with four 3s and seven Tar Heels recorded a 3. The 56-first half points were just two shy of what North Carolina tallied in a 58-47 win over Boston College on Wednesday night.

In addition to Bacot's double-double, he recorded six blocked shots. Caleb Love scored 21 points and R.J. Davis and Manek scored 17 apiece.

North Carolina led 56-31 at halftime and pushed the margin to 73-38 on Davis' 3 with 14:53 remaining.

Terquavion Smith scored 34 points and Jericole Hellems 25 for North Carolina State.

The Tar Heels lead the all-time series, 162-79, winning 34 of the last 39 and 51 of the last 63 games against the Wolfpack.

Up next for North Carolina State (10-12, 3-8) is a Wednesday night matchup at home against Syracuse. North Carolina travels to Louisville for a Tuesday contest.

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