The North Carolina Tar Heels, facing scrutiny over their inclusion in the NCAA Tournament, silenced critics with a commanding performance against the San Diego State Aztecs. Competing in the “First Four” match-up, the No. 11 seed Tar Heels triumphed with a score of 95-68, securing their spot in the tournament and setting up a clash with No. 6 Ole Miss in the next round.

Game Highlights

The Tar Heels demonstrated offensive prowess right from the start, notably during the first half. They posted an impressive shooting percentage of 60.9%, making 14 of their 23 attempts from the field, including 7-of-9 from three-point range. Additionally, they capitalized on free throw opportunities, going 12-for-12, resulting in a substantial 47 points by halftime. RJ Davis capped off the half with a buzzer-beater three-pointer.

Contrarily, the Aztecs struggled offensively, managing only 23 points with a shooting rate of 26.7% in the first half. This significant deficit proved insurmountable as their performance fell short of expectations.

Strong Second Half

The momentum continued in the second half, with North Carolina outscoring San Diego State 48-45. Overall, the Tar Heels finished the game shooting 52.6% from the field and an impressive 58.3% from beyond the arc on 14 of 24 attempts. Their free throw success was equally notable, converting 21 of 24 attempts.

Player Performances

RJ Davis led the scoring with 26 points, shooting 8-of-12 from the field and an unblemished 6-for-6 from three-point range, along with two assists. Jae’Lyn Withers contributed a double-double, scoring 10 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, while Seth Trimble added 16 points off the bench. Ven-Allen Lubin also made his mark with 12 points, contributing significantly with his free throw shooting.

Next Steps for the Aztecs

For the San Diego State Aztecs, finishing with a 39.7% shooting percentage from the field left them unable to secure a path forward in the tournament. Their offensive performance fell short against a talented Tar Heels squad.