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Off the cuff: We really should be talking about nothing but RJ Davis going unconscious offensively as he scored more points than anyone in the 38-year history of the Smith Center.

Over a three-minute period from the 7:25 mark of the second half to the 4:13 mark, Davis hit four three-pointers. The first was incredibly far out where he wasn't even covered. The second came off a screen. The third came after a devastating pump fake. And the fourth came on a step-back shot.

When he was finished with the 12-point barrage over three minutes, the Heels led 70-57 and it should have been over.

But Miami's pressure bothered the Tar Heels forcing turnovers that resulted in a pair of threes and a pair of free throws to cut the margin to just two.

Carolina missed five straight free throws but Harrison Ingram tipped one miss out to keep possession for the Heels and then Jae'lyn Withers snuck under for a rebound on another miss. He hit a pair of free throws to finally end the game.

Coach Davis said that Ingram's and Withers' plays - which he likes to call "the little things" - were just as important as Davis' 42 points.

The coach said he's going to show the entire game to the team so they can go over the little things that were not accomplished during the game.

Ultimately the game will be long remembered because of Davis' effort. But the Heels better take notes on "the little things" if they want to win the ACC and go deep into the NCAA Tournament.

Carolina 75, Miami 71
UNC rides Davis' 42 points to close win

UNC's RJ Davis, coming off a one of 14 performance, scored a Smith Center record-setting 42 points to lead the Tar Heels to a narrow 75-71 victory at home against Miami. (2/26)

"He put the entire team on his back," said UNC coach Hubert Davis, who was visably upset that it took such an effort from one player to win the game. "He was unbelieveable on both ends of the floor... There are very few times I've seen a peformance like that whether it be here or in the NBA."

Half of Davis' 14 baskets were threes but he also came up with four steals and six rebounds. His 42 points were the 10th most by a Tar Heel in a game. The last player to score more was All-America legend Charlie Scott, who scored 43 in 1970.

The Hurricanes, now losers of seven games in a row, stroked 14 three pointers to hang with the Tar Heels.

Back-to-back threes from Davis gave the Heels what seemed like an insurmountable lead at 70-57 with just over four minutes to play.

But the Tar Heels went the rest of the way without scoring another field goal and they missed five straight free throws down the stretch.

Meanwhile, Miami went on an 11-0 run - which included three triples - over a two-minute period to pull within a basket at 72-70.

Davis hit three of four free throws before missing those five in a row. It took Jae'lyn Withers, who rebounded a missed free throw from Seth Trimble, to wrap up the game with a pair of free thows with less than three seconds to go for the four-point final margin.

The Tar Heels led just 37-32 at the break as Miami hit eight threes in the first half alone. Of course Davis had 21 at the half to counter the Hurricanes.

Carolina got its first double-digit lead of the game on a three-point play where Harrison Ingram spun around a defender, banked in a short shot and was fouled. After the free throw, the Heels led 48-38.

UNC's biggest lead was 14 at 64-50 but the Tar Heels could not pull away from the Hurricanes, who were playing without two starters.

No other Tar Heel besides Davis scored in double figures; however, Armando Davis got 12 rebounds while Ingram had 10 boards.

Miami, now 15-14 and 6-12 in the ACC, was led by Norchad Omier's 22 points and Bensley Joseph's career-high 21 points. The pair hit nine of Miami's 14 threes.

The Tar Heels, who host N.C. State Saturday at 4 p.m., improve to 22-6 and 14-3 in the ACC.

Box score

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