UNC Basketball: Tar Heels fall in classic to Kentucky
UNC and Kentucky battle in Las Vegas as it goes to the end
The North Carolina Tar Heels and Kentucky Wildcats put on a show in a city known for great shows.
The record-setting crowd in Las Vegas, Nevada was treated to one of the best college basketball games of the year on Saturday. But unfortunately it didn’t go the Tar Heels way.
UNC fell 103-00 to the Wildcats on Saturday, suffering their second loss of the season as they wind down the non-conference schedule.
After the Tar Heels went up 12-10 early in the first half, Kentucky went on a 7-0 run to take a lead.
The Wildcats kept pushing the ball with their fast-paced offense as they maintained the lead for most of the game. Kentucky even pushed it to double-digits in the first half.
Freshman Malik Monk went off, scoring a career-high 47 points in the win. Fellow freshman De’Aaron Fox added 24 points for the Wildcats.
But despite falling behind, UNC kept it close as they trailed by just 5 points at halftime.
Late in the second half, UNC managed to tie the game and then take the lead on a Justin Jackson layup. But after Jackson missed his free throw with a two-point lead, UNC grabbed the rebound.
Point guard Joel Berry II couldn’t finish a layup that would have given them a two possession lead and it hurt the Tar Heels.
Monk connected on a three-pointer in transition to give the Wildcats a 101-100 lead. The freshman was just too much for the Tar Heels.
“Heck of a college basketball game if you don’t care who won,” Head coach Roy Williams said. “But I do care who wins. . Malik was off the charts.”
UNC had a chance to take the lead after Monk’s three-pointer but Isaiah Hicks jump shot hit the side of the rim. Kentucky converted on two free throws and held on for the win.
Jackson’s 34 points were a career-high but was overshadowed by Monk’s performance.
UNC’s two losses have now come on the road to Indiana and a neutral court against Kentucky.
The Tar Heels will prepare for a game against Northern Iowa on Wednesday, then Monmouth a week from Wednesday to finish their non-conference schedule.
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