BC tandem states case
But Eagles can’t stop Heels
Two young guards from North Carolina coach Roy Williams’ neighborhood nearly derailed his ninth-ranked Tar Heels yesterday at Conte Forum.
Boston College freshman Ky Bowman, of Havelock, N.C., netted 33 points with seven treys while sophomore backcourt mate Jerome Robinson, of Raleigh, N.C., added 18 in the Eagles’ 90-82 loss to UNC before a capacity crowd of 8,606.
BC (9-11, 2-5 ACC) was in it until the final minutes but UNC (18-3, 6-1) and its potent offense was just too much to handle. The Tar Heels scored 85 or more points for the sixth consecutive ACC game for the first time in program history.
Bowman had committed to attend UNC as a wide receiver during his sophomore year at Havelock High. Tar Heels football coach Larry Fedora offered to let Bowman play for Williams in the offseason, so he was recruited on two fronts.
But Bowman withdrew his commitment his senior year to concentrate on basketball for BC coach Jim Christian.
“I didn’t know much about him (Bowman) at that point; Larry told me he was going to be a great, great receiver and I was going to do whatever they needed me to do to get the youngster,” Williams said.
Home court wasn’t a big enough advantage for Boston College against consecutive ranked opponents but it took an 11th hour rally by the Tar Heels to secure the win. BC dropped a 71-54 decision to No. 16 Virginia on Wednesday night but played with renewed energy and effort yesterday.
“I was so disappointed after Wednesday night because that’s not who we are or how we play,” said Christian. “I have so much respect for Virginia but we didn’t play — but today we competed.”
BC shot 47.1 percent from the field with 12 made 3-point shots, 32 points in the paint with 15 assists. But the Eagles were undone by 15 turnovers and a 21-9 rebound deficit in the second half.
UNC’s frontcourt tandem of Kennedy Meeks and Justin Jackson combined for 42 points and 13 rebounds. The Tar Heels shot 46.9 percent, including a 6-of-14 effort from behind the arc. North Carolina won the game by sinking 24 free throws, scoring 19 points off turnovers and converting 16 offensive rebounds into 24 points.
“Meeks is a load down there and Justin Jackson might be the most improved player in the country,” Christian said. “Those 3’s he hit deep, he didn’t have that consistency last year.”
The Tar Heels went up, 68-61, on a Meeks layup with 6:15 on the clock. BC guard A.J. Turner and forward Mo Jeffers countered with consecutive buckets to make it a three-point game. Theo Pinson (11 points) then put the visitors up, 72-65, with consecutive putbacks from the baseline with 4:45 remaining.
Jeffers cut the lead to 76-72 with a jump hook with 2:13 to play. But junior guard Joel Berry II provided the dagger with a trey from the top of the key to put the Tar Heels up, 81-72, with 1:08 left. Pr i n te d