UNC's Tyler Zeller dropped in 30 points, including a Smith Center record 20 free throws, as the Tar Heels whipped Maryland on Senior Night 88-64. (2/29) Click here for a photo gallery.
Starting seldom-used seniors, along with Zeller, the Tar Heels were tied after two minutes at 2-2 when the regular starters entered the game. The Heels quickly went on a 14-2 run to set the tone for the game.
Up by 11 at the half 36-25, after being up by as many as 13 points, the Heels saw the lead dwindle to six at 38-32 after the first three minutes of the second half.
But in the next two minutes, Zeller went aggressively to the offensive boards and was fouled - four times - and he came away with eight straight free throws. That put the Tar Heels in control by 10 at 46-36.
A 15-2 UNC run, highlighted by a Kendall Marshall three and a Reggie Bullock three put the Heels up by 21 at 63-42 with less than 10 minutes to play.
The lead grew to as much as 31 points at 74-43 with 6:55 to go after two more free throws by Zeller. The starters soon left the game for good and Carolina managed to still win by 24.
Over the last two minutes, a pair of seldom-used walk-on seniors - Patrick Crouch of Asheville and David Dupont of Greensboro - drilled long three-pointers to the delight of the crowd. Dupont's three came at the buzzer.
But it was Zeller's night as his 20 free throws were a home record for most made free throws and was one behind the all-time UNC record held by York Larese from the late 1950s.
"Z was sensational," UNC coach Roy Williams said. "We felt we had a huge advantage inside and we wanted to get it in there."
Williams went on to say that Zeller, an Academic All-America, is the epitome of a true student athlete. "He has enriched my life," Coach Williams said. "He's made me a better person by knowing him."
The win, which makes the Tar Heels 26-4 and 13-2 in the ACC, sets up a regular season title game at Duke Saturday night.
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