UNC held their ground at home with a nail-biting 77-74 victory over Louisville, keeping their undefeated streak alive. Seth Trimble was the star of the night, delivering a career-high 30 points and helping Carolina maintain their edge, even as they nearly let a 16-point second-half lead slip away.
Early on, Louisville found success from beyond the arc, building a lead before cooling off, allowing UNC to get their offense in gear. The Tar Heels were on fire in the first half, shooting an impressive 61% from the field and keeping the Cardinals away from the free-throw line. Yet, despite their shooting prowess, they led by just one at the break.
As the second half unfolded, Louisville struggled to find the basket, enabling UNC to stretch their lead. But the Cardinals weren't done; a 7-0 run brought them back, narrowing the gap to just three points with under a minute left.
UNC’s free-throw shooting woes added unnecessary tension, as they hit only 47% from the line, making just nine of their 19 attempts. This included crucial misses down the stretch. They were also out-rebounded by Louisville, who grabbed 41 boards to UNC's 32, including 16 on the offensive glass.
Trimble's performance was a game-changer, particularly as it was the first time he hit a three-pointer since his memorable game-winner against Duke. Henri Veesaar and Luka Bogavac chipped in with 12 points each, while Jarin Stevenson contributed nine points and led the team with seven rebounds.
The Tar Heels' free-throw struggles have been a recurring issue, often turning late-game situations into heart-stopping affairs. Trimble, however, managed to steady the ship from the line when it mattered most.
For Louisville, Mikel Brown Jr. and Ryan Conwell were relentless, combining for 47 of the team’s 74 points. They took 44 shots between them, with 25 attempts from three-point range, showcasing their determination to keep the Cardinals in the fight.
This game was a testament to UNC's resilience and Trimble's breakout performance, but also a reminder of the areas needing improvement as the season progresses.