In a thrilling Atlantic Coast Conference showdown, the No. 22 ranked North Carolina Tar Heels staged a remarkable comeback to secure an 85-80 road victory over the No. 14 Virginia Cavaliers on Saturday. The win not only marked a significant ACC triumph but also snapped Virginia's impressive 11-game home winning streak, showcasing North Carolina's resilience and offensive firepower in a tightly contested matchup.
Key Performers Lead Tar Heels' Charge
Caleb Wilson emerged as a standout for North Carolina, delivering a crucial 20-point performance to anchor the team's scoring efforts. Jarin Stevenson provided a massive second-half boost, contributing all of his 17 points after the break, including pivotal plays down the stretch. His dunk with 11:57 remaining gave the Tar Heels their first lead since the early minutes, putting them ahead 59-58 and shifting the momentum decisively in their favor.
Virginia's Strong Start Falters
Virginia dominated the first half, building a commanding 16-point lead and heading into halftime with a 43-34 advantage. The Cavaliers' early success was fueled by a dominant rebounding edge, outrebounding North Carolina 26-16 in the first 20 minutes and converting that into 14 second-chance points. Thijs DeRidder led Virginia with 20 points and seven rebounds, while Chance Mallory added key contributions, including a tough baseline layup that tied the game at 67-all with 7:58 left.
Clutch Plays Seal Victory for North Carolina
Trailing by two points with just 3:50 remaining, North Carolina executed flawlessly in the closing minutes. Stevenson and Seth Trimble each converted critical three-point plays to build a 78-74 lead, and the Tar Heels outscored Virginia 18-9 over the final 5:25 to secure the win. Despite Virginia briefly regaining the lead after DeRidder's basket following Mallory's layup, North Carolina's late-game composure proved decisive.
Implications and Upcoming Games
This victory represents North Carolina's second win over a ranked opponent this season, following their earlier road triumph against then-No. 20 Louisville. The Tar Heels will look to build on this momentum as they travel to face Georgia Tech next Saturday. Meanwhile, Virginia, which saw its home streak end, will aim to rebound quickly with a road game at Notre Dame on Tuesday. The intense battle highlighted the competitive nature of ACC basketball, with both teams demonstrating why they are ranked among the nation's elite.
