Bacot makes UNC history in dominant win over NC State

RALEIGH, N.C. – Junior forward Armando Bacot posted 28 points, 18 rebounds and five blocks en route to an 84-74 UNC win over Big Four rival NC State in PNC Arena on Saturday afternoon.

The Tar Heels dominated NC State in the trenches, outrebounding the Wolfpack by 21. Coming into this matchup, NC State had given up the second-most team rebounds in the ACC.

It was clear early on that the Wolfpack’s thin frontcourt had zero chance of slowing down Bacot. The Richmond native got out to a hot start for UNC scoring eight points and grabbing four rebounds in just the first three minutes of play.

Bacot’s quick start opened up opportunities for others as the Tar Heels went on a 16-0 run, giving UNC a 20-3 lead midway through the first half. Forward Brady Manek further exploited UNC’s size advantage down low, scoring 14 of his 16 points in the first half of play.

NC State (11-18, 4-14 ACC) gained some momentum toward the end of the half by cutting their deficit to nine at one point following buckets from Sophomore Cam Hayes. Hayes was one of the only bright spots on the day for the Wolfpack scoring 16 points off the bench.

UNC went into halftime riding a 10-2 run giving them a comfortable 46-29 lead.

The Tar Heels (21-8, 13-5 ACC) managed to neutralize Wolfpack season scoring leaders Dereon Seabron and Terquavion Smith, holding them both to shoot below 20% from the field in the first half.

Bacot picked up where he left off to start the second half by sparking a 10-0 Tar Heel run to extend UNC’s lead to 22 midway through the second half. The IMG Academy recruit scored 17 of his 28 total points in the second half of play. Bacot became the first Tar Heel in history to record 25 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks in a game.

NC State attempted to make one final push as Terquavion Smith came alive late, scoring 11 of his 20 points in the final seven minutes of regulation. Wolfpack momentum would come to a complete halt as UNC guard Puff Johnson scored 12 of his 16 points toward the end of regulation. The Tar Heels never looked back.

Johnson played a huge role off the bench for the Tar Heels by stepping in for guard Leaky Black, who left the game with 4:31 left to go in the first half after hyperextending his knee.

UNC has now won four of their last five road games while NC State has lost five consecutive games at home.

The Tar Heels look to keep their three-game win streak going on Monday night as they take on Syracuse at 7 PM in the Dean E. Smith Center on ESPN.