CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- Miami is 2-0 in ACC play for the first time since joining the league in 2004-05, after beating North Carolina 68-59 at the Smith Center on Thursday night. The Tar Heels fell to 0-2. A quick look at the game:
Turning point: The game was tight through the first 15 minutes, with neither team leading by more than six. And UNC reserve P.J. Hairston tried to keep it that way when he cut Miami’s lead to 56-55 on a 3-pointer with 4:45 left.
But Miami forward Julian Gamble scored on a putback, then Trey McKinney Jones and Durand Scott hit back-to-back 3s to give Miami a 64-55 advantage with 3:04 left.
UNC didn’t score again until the 1:44 mark, on a James Michael McAdoo putback to cut the lead to 64-57. But Miami’s Kenny Kadji came up with two big blocks to help his team keep its cushion, and the victory.
Key player(s): Kadji led Miami with 18 points. McAdoo had 14 for UNC.
Noteworthy number: Miami broke a 10-game losing streak against the Tar Heels. The last time it had previously beaten UNC: Jan. 14, 2006 in Chapel Hill.
Etc.: UNC reserve guard Leslie McDonald, who missed the team’s last two practices with a sore right knee, was on the bench in street clothes for the game. … Miami big man Reggie Johnson missed his sixth straight game, because of a fractured thumb.
Next up: North Carolina will play at Florida State on Saturday. Miami hosts Maryland on Sunday night.