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Off the cuff: Carolina had to keep hitting free throws at Boston College in order to win. The Heels started off just four of eight from the line. But sinking 17 of the last 18 was huge.

Five Carolina players had three or more fouls and, as such, Boston College shot more free throws and the Eagles hit them. They missed just four of their 29 free throws.

The last 38 seconds of the first half and the first minute and 12 seconds of the second half were huge for the Heels. In fact, that minute and 50 seconds basically were the difference in the game.

Harrison Ingram hit a big fade away jumper and Elliott Cadeau provided a perfect lob pass to James Okonkwo who jammed it in for a 34-31 lead.

Then to start the second half, RJ Davis dropped in a three and less than 20 seconds later Armando Bacot, who had yet to score, hooked one in and drew a foul on Quinten Post.

All that amounted to a 10-0 run and Carolina won by 10.

Carolina 76, Boston College 66
UNC survives bruising battle at BC

In a game with 46 fouls and 55 free throws, North Carolina managed to get past Boston College for the Tar Heels eighth straight win, 76-66. (1/20)

"It was a physical game - a difficult game on the road," UNC coach Hubert Davis said. "When we needed a stop, we played really good defense."

Coach Davis pointed out that it was the eighth straight game that the Tar Heels have outrebounded their opponent - coinciding with the win streak. Carolina had 43 rebounds compared to 28 for Boston College.

The Tar Heels, who turned the ball over nine times in the first half, trailed early by as many as six points and trailed 31-30 with a minute left in the opening half. But with 38 seconds left before the break, Harrison Ingram drilled a fade away jumper and then Elliott Cadeau lobbed a pass to James Okonkwo for a dunk with a second left to give the Heels a 34-31 lead.

Carolina never trailed in the second half. RJ Davis sank a fastbreak three from the right wing and then Armando Bacot, who failed to score in the first half, hooked in a shot and was fouled. After the free throw, the Heels led 40-31, which was the largest lead at that point.

The lead dwindled to five or four several times but Carolina kept getting to the foul line and converting to stay up. The Heels hit 17 of their last 18 free throw attempts.

UNC led just 62-58 with four minutes to go but down the stretch the Heels gots some big plays including a three from Ingram and a three-point play by Bacot that looked like a banked dunk.

A Davis drive by layup, followed by a Seth Trimble runner in the lane in the last two minutes ended any chance for the Eagles, who committed just four turnovers in the game. Carolina turned it over only twice in the second half.

North Carolina hit 21 of 26 free throws while Boston College hit 25 of 29. Four Tar Heels scored in double figures with Davis once again leading the way with 16 points. Cormac Ryan, who was six of six at the line, finished with 14 points. Ingram had a double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds. Bacot, saddled with foul trouble, managed to score 10 points, all in the second half.

Quinten Post had 19 points to lead Boston College, now 11-7 and 2-5 in the ACC.

The Tar Heels improve to 15-3 overall and 7-0 in the conference with an home game Monday night against Wake Forest.

Box score

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