UNC men's basketball overpowers Virginia, 81-66, in second straight double-digit win

The UNC men's basketball team (17-11, 10-6 ACC) overpowered the Virginia Cavaliers (13-14, 6-10 ACC), 81-66, on Saturday afternoon in the Dean E. Smith Center. 

Graduate forward Jae'Lyn Withers recorded his second double-double of the season after contributing 16 points and 11 rebounds. But Withers' shooting performance was only a part of UNC's complete shooting display against the Cavaliers, which saw the squad shoot 46.4 percent from the field and 56.3 percent from behind the arc. This is the third consecutive game where the Tar Heels haven't trailed. 

"Our attention to detail has been more consistent," head coach Hubert Davis said. "I think defensively we've been better and consistent. I think getting to the offensive class has been a huge change for us. We've gotten second chance opportunities."

North Carolina opened the game with the same intensity it displayed on Wednesday against N.C. State. The Tar Heels led 15-2 with 14 minutes left in the half behind six quick points in the post from junior forward Ven-Allen Lubin, a 3-pointer and block from graduate forward Jae'Lyn Withers and a two-handed slam from first-year forward Drake Powell. Virginia called a timeout. 

The Cavaliers scoring drought extended to five minutes as UNC's lead continued to swell. With 12 minutes remaining in the half, Powell scored and drew the foul with it. First-year Ian Jackson scored a three on the next possession. By the 10:56 mark, UNC led 21-4.

"We did a good job buying into the game plan," graduate guard RJ Davis said. "I feel like the past few games we've been bringing a lot of energy on both ends of the floor. I think it's kind of just been setting the tone the rest of the game."

Virginia's offense eventually woke up. Behind a flagrant-1 and technical foul call on UNC, the Cavaliers went on a 7-0 to inch within eight points. 

But a myriad of threes swelled UNC's lead once again after Jackson and junior guard Cade Tyson scored back-to-back treys with over six minutes remaining. 

Following a two-minute scoring lull by both teams, Virginia's Isaac McKneely ended the hiatus with an and-1 off a made three. 

As the Tar Heels relied on free throws, Virginia rattled off another five points to make the score 39-32 with 2:41 left in the opening 20 minutes. An and-1 from junior guard Seth Trimble and another Withers trey pushed the lead back out. North Carolina ended the half up 46-34. 

UNC opened the second half with a 7-0 run in the first four minutes. After Powell scored a three, Lubin scored four points with a made jumper and tip in. 

Virginia responded with a 7-0 run of its own to make the score 53-43 at the 15:00 minute mark. The Tar Heels worked to keep the Cavaliers at bay with RJ Davis and Jackson recording an and-1 and three points, respectively. 

The two teams traded baskets with eight minutes left to play. UNC held on to its double-digit lead thanks to a five-point run from Withers who made a layup and hit a three. 

After scoring seven straight points, Virginia went on a two minute scoring drought to end the half allowing North Carolina to sustain its comfortable lead. 

"We just want to keep it going," Lubin said. "We don't want to let our guard down. We want to keep our foot on the gas."

The Tar Heels will travel to Tallahassee to take on Florida State at 7 p.m. on Monday.

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