Brice Johnson's monstrous block provides spark for UNC men's basketball in win over Providence

RALEIGH — With about four minutes left in the first half on Saturday night, the energy inside PNC Arena was lacking.

And Brice Johnson knew it.

Playing in front of what was essentially a home crowd, top-seeded North Carolina was tied at 28 with ninth-seeded Providence and looking for a source of motivation in its second-round NCAA Tournament game.

That’s when Johnson provided one of the contest’s most notable plays, swatting a shot deep into the stands before pumping his right fist and screaming to the crowd.

Johnson’s block electrified the arena and provided a much-needed spark for the Tar Heels, as they scored the next six points and entered halftime with a 34-30 lead. UNC ultimately topped the Friars 85-66 to secure its second straight Sweet 16 berth.

Brice Johnson with the monster block! #MarchMadness https://t.co/BRO4rMaTEV

— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) March 20, 2016

“That was huge, and you could see the intensity pick up once that play happened,” said junior guard Nate Britt of Johnson’s block. “You could see everyone on the team react, the bench react. I just think it was huge to get us going.

“We were a little bit frustrated in the first half, and that helped us out a lot.”

Instead of blocking the ball out of bounds, Johnson could have snagged it or attempted to tip it to a teammate. But that wouldn’t be in the senior’s nature, especially given the situation.

“At first, we were yelling, ‘Just grab it,’” said junior forward Isaiah Hicks. “But, you know, Brice likes to get the crowd into the games and all of that to give us momentum.”

When asked if he considered trying to keep the ball in play, Johnson said the thought never crossed his mind.

“There’s no chance I was trying to tip it (to a teammate), I just had to throw it,” he said. “It was dead in the air. I was already frustrated, and I just had to throw it.

“It just had to happen.”

And when it did, the Tar Heels rode the momentum.

@patjames24

sports@dailytarheel.com