Freshman forward Caleb Wilson racked up 22 points and a career-high 16 rebounds as No. 12 North Carolina withstood sketchy offensive stretches to defeat Florida State 79-66 in the Atlantic Coast Conference opener for both teams Tuesday night in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Seth Trimble contributed 20 points, Kyan Evans scored 15 points and Henri Veesaar posted all 12 of his points in the second half for North Carolina (13-1, 1-0). Veesaar also pulled in 12 rebounds while Wilson distributed a career-high-tying six assists.
The Tar Heels improved to 59-14 all-time in ACC openers and 65-8 in conference home openers.
Chauncey Wiggins posted 16 points, reserve Kobe MaGee had 12 points, Robert McCray V notched 11 points and Lajae Jones added 10 points for Florida State (7-7, 0-1), which had a two-game winning streak end. The Seminoles took 40 of their 66 shots from 3-point range, but made just 12.
While there were encouraging stretches, there were also frustrating segments for the Seminoles in their ACC debut with first-year coach Luke Loucks.
Florida State closed within 44-43 early in the second half before the Tar Heels pulled away with an 18-3 run — with Veesaar providing two dunks and a putback. The Seminoles endured a 4:29 scoreless stretch that left them trailing by 16 with 10 minutes to play.
North Carolina then went almost four minutes without scoring, but maintained its double-figure lead during that drought. Evans’ 3-pointer with 6:44 left ended the team’s scoring slump.
Florida State hung around at 69-59 before failing to score for the next two minutes.
The Tar Heels built a 37-25 lead late in the first half before the Seminoles struck for three 3-pointers in slightly more than two minutes. North Carolina led 40-34 at the break.
Wilson had 14 points and nine rebounds and Trimble had 10 points by halftime, helping the Tar Heels overcome 4-for-15 shooting on 3-pointers. Both teams connected on 39% from the field in the half.
–Field Level Media
