The North Carolina Tar Heels needed a win after a devastating loss on the road at Florida State in their last outing. On Thursday, on the road against Virginia Tech, they got one, by an 82-68 score, that proved their mettle.
Harrison Barnes scored 27 points for North Carolina, which erased a five-point halftime deficit with a 20-5 run to begin the second half. The Tar Heels also got 16 points and 16 rebounds from John Henson and 14 points and 11 rebounds from Tyler Zeller, and pulled away in the second half to lead 82-63 in the final minute.
Virginia Tech rode reserve guard Dorenzo Hudson's hot hand to the lead in the first half. Hudson made four threes in the period, and scored 16 points to give the Hokies the halftime lead. But he would not score in the second half, and the Hokies' lack of scoring beyond a big four — Hudson, Erick Green, Jarell Eddie, Robert Brown combined for all but six of Virginia Tech's points — ultimately doomed them.
For more on North Carolina, head to Carolina March; for more on the Hokies, visit Gobbler Country.