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Off the cuff: In the first half at Kansas, it looked as if it were going to be a long season. Coach Hubert Davis claims he wasn't worry - that it was still early.

The Heels of the second half looked like a possible Elite 8 or even Final Four team. Defense was the key, especially inside where the Tar Heels were getting killed.

Kansas looked and was bigger inside, plus the Carolina big men got in foul trouble early so the Heels went deep in the bench. "People talk about the lack of size on our team but it's the size of the heart."

Carolina - less experienced, smaller and playing in one of the toughest venues in the country - did indeed some some heart in the second half.

To do really well this season, one or two of the big men are going to have to step up. Withers can help out but Washington or Lubin are the likely candidates. Both got in foul trouble while Lubin fouled out.

Also concerning is the heir apparent to Cormac Ryan, Cade Tyson, is obviously in the doghouse or either is nicked up. He played only a minute and missed his only shot attempt.

Kansas 92, Carolina 89
Gritty Tar Heels rally but fail to hang on

(Photo by UNC Sports Information)

A gritty North Carolina squad came from 20 points down but failed to score over the last two minutes while No. 1 Kansas scored five straight to win 92-89 at historic Allen Fieldhouse. (11/8)

Carolina trailed 51-31 late in the first half and went into the break down by 15. Then the Tar Heels picked up the defensive intensity, quickly getting the deficit under double digits.

The Kansas lead hovered in the eight to 11 range until the Heels went on a 9-0 run midway through the second half to pull within a bucket at 77-75. A sweet turnaround jumper by Lubin and a three from the left corner by Jae'Lyn Withers highlighted the run.

Moments later a falling Withers got one to go in the lane to remarkably put the Tar Heels up 80-79 for UNC's first lead since it was 10-7 early.

A Seth Trimble short shot inside off the backboard followed by a free throw by Jalen Washington put the surging Heels up 87-83 with 3:30 to go. But not much else went right for the Heels down the stretch as Withers, who had led the comeback, turned the ball over and missed a wide-open three from the right corner.

Meanwhile, Zeke Mayo scored in the lead to tie the game and Hunter Dickinson converted a contested layup to put the Jayhawks up for good at 91-89. Carolina had a chance to take the lead with 35 seconds to go but Washington was long on a three attempt from the right corner.

"I'm proud of them and their effort to get back in the game," UNC coach Hubert Davis said of his team. "They put our team into position to win the game."

He credited the defense, which lowered the Jayhawks' shooting percentage from 60 percent in the first half to 49 for the game and went from losing the rebound advantage by a lot to outrebounding Kansas 40-39.

"It showed the potential of this team," Coach Davis said. "Our team is full of talented players who enjoy playing together... This team can go to the highest level."

They'll need better shooting from fifth-year senior star RJ Davis if they expect to reach their potential. Davis, who shot poorly in the season opener against Elon, was even worse in this game, going just three of 15 including just one of seven from beyond the arc.

Davis did score 16 points, mostly from the free throw line, as he was one of six Tar Heels in double figures. Trimble led the way with 19 points while Elliot Cadeau had 12 and Withers 11. Lubin and Ian Jackson each scored 10.

Mayo led the way for Kansas with 21 points while Dickinson finished with 20.

Carolina, 1-1, returns home to face American Friday, Nov. 15.

Box score

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