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Off the cuff: UNC coach Roy Williams likes to win with scores in the 80s and 90s. He pointed out that before Carolina's cold streak in the first half, the Heels were at a good scoring pace with 23 points scored just eight minutes into the game.

After Brandon Robinson hit back-to-back threes for Carolina, the Heels led 26-18 midway through the half. But UNC scored just seven more points over the last 10 and a half minutes of the first half and trailed at the half.

There were several nice plays in the second half. Garrison Brooks handed off to a streaking Cam Johnson, who promptly dunked it to tie the game at 47-47.

Nassir Little had a couple of dunks, including one after Luke Maye split a double-team to get him the ball.

Coby White nailed a key three just as the shot clock was about to expire to give Carolina the lead for good.

But the building was the loudest after Seventh Woods came up with a big blocked shot from behind on what looked like a sure basket. Then he hustled down the court, took a pass and was fouled going to the hoop. He hit both free throws to put Carolina up 51-50 with 11:52 left in the game.

It may not have been the biggest play of the game but it really got the crowd going.

Tar Heels 75, Notre Dame 69
Heels clamp Notre Dame down, win late

North Carolina trailed at the half at home to Notre Dame but clamped down defensively, took a lead with just over six minutes left and never trailed again in beating the Irish 75-69. (1/15)

Coming off an ugly loss at home to Louisville, Carolina got an ugly win. "Well, I got my wish," UNC coach Roy Williams said. "I wanted to win one ugly."

The Tar Heels trailed at the half after committing nine turnovers and going nearly six minutes without a basket. Notre Dame scored the last eight points of the first half to take a 36-33 lead.

After yielding a three to Notre Dame which gave the visitors their largest lead at 39-33, North Carolina turned it around. The Irish had a hard time getting a good look at the basket with the shot clock becoming a factor on several occasions. Meanwhile Carolina started taking care of the ball better on offense, committing only two turnovers over the last 20 minutes.

The Heels caught up on a three by Kenny Williams, who was trailing on the play, to tie it at 45-all. The lead changed hands nine times over the next 10 minutes.

After Coby White drained a three at the end of the shock clock to give UNC a 60-58 lead with 6:19 left, the Heels never trailed again. That shot started a 12-1 run that put the Heels in command at 69-59 with 1:24 left.

Nassir Little, off the bench, gave the Heels an offensive spark with 11 second half points, during a nine-minute span. Brandon Robinson came off the bench in the first half to keep Carolina in the game with three three-pointers.

"We did a terrible job of defending the ball screens in the first half," Robinson said. "But in the second half, we locked in and did what we had to do to get stops."

Coach Williams said the Heels played defense "without a brain" in the first half but did much better in the second half. The offense came alive late as well.

"We made some big shots down the stretch," he said.

White, who fouled out late, led Carolina's scoring with 17 points. Luke Maye, who didn't shoot well, nevertheless had 14 points and 10 rebounds. Little and Cam Johnson closed out the double-figure scoring with 11 points each.

John Mooney was Notre Dame's big man with 16 points and 19 rebounds. However, Carolina outrebounded the Irish 47-36.

North Carolina advances to 13-4 and 3-1 in the ACC while Notre Dame falls to 11-6 overall and 1-3 in the league.

The Tar Heels host Miami Saturday at noon.

Box score

UNC's Luke Maye saves one from going out of bounds. (UNC Sports Information)

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