The No. 10 UNC men’s basketball team (4-1) took down Hawaii (4-2), 87-69, on Saturday morning in Manoa, Hawaii.
After Hawaii won the tip, sophomore guard Tom Beattie quickly stepped up for a triple that was deflected off the lip of the basket. In the first three minutes, neither team can buy a bucket. Despite the excellent positioning, a hail of jump shots from both teams would not fall.
Graduate guard RJ Davis hit a deep three-pointer to score the opening basket three and a half minutes into the game.
Hawaii battled back as graduate center Tanner Christensen charged into the paint. After missing his initial attempt, Christensen grabbed his rebound, putting back the second-hand layup to close the gap to 3-2.
The Rainbow Warriors had a clear strategy for the opening minutes. They utilized a zone defense to prevent North Carolina from getting easy shots at the basket, constantly hounding Davis and sophomore guard Elliot Cadeau whenever they had the ball. In addition, the second a basket was made, Hawaii sprinted back on defense at full speed, denying the transition attack UNC has utilized this season.
Hawaii outrebounded UNC 23-14 in the first half. Christensen sealed off graduate forward Jae’lyn Withers, only allowing Withers a single rebound in the first half.
Hawaii kept the first half close. However, first-year guard Ian Jackson helped the Tar Heels end the half on a high note. With 18 seconds left, Jackson cashed in a three-pointer to extend UNC’s lead to 41-34.
Junior guard Seth Trimble took over in the second half. Trimble secured an early steal after he picked the pocket of junior guard Kody Williams. UNC sprinted full steam ahead, opening the second half with a 17-3 run, nine of which were scored by Trimble.
The Rainbow Warriors tried to close the gap, but the Tar Heels ran them over with their pace in transition. With a shifty behind-the-back and a soft left-handed finish from Cadeau, the Tar Heels took a 72-56 lead.
