FORT WORTH, TX – The No. 1 seed gets upset by No. 8 UNC 93-86 in Dickie’s Arena in Fort Worth on Saturday afternoon.
The first half was rough for the Bears as they got down early to UNC’s power offense that we have seen so far during the NCAA tournament. Baylor got down 23-10 in the first five minutes of the game and it was an uphill battle from there.
The Bears struggled shooting today only making two three-pointers in the first half compared to North Carolina’s six. The lead continued to grow for the Tar Heels and Baylor tried to keep up. Baylor was able to come back within seven but a late run by UNC led them to a 13 point lead at the half.
The Bears went into the locker room down 42-29.
The second half started like the first one ended. The Tar Heels knocked down a three out the gate and Baylor kept getting their shots blocked. To make matters worse Matthew Mayers, who led Baylor in their first round win, got into foul trouble. He tallied his fourth with 15 minutes left in regulation.
RJ Davis continued to knock down some tough shots for the Tar Heels and things continued to go their way. UNC took a 25-point lead with 10 minutes remaining in the game and that was the nail in the coffin for Baylor.
Baylor started to fight back and in the next five minutes of play the Bears climbed their way to just a nine point deficit and it started with back-to-back three-pointers by Adam Flagler. They proceeded to go on a 20-4 run and with four minutes remaining in regulation.
Baylor started a full court press and it caused two back-to-back turnovers by UNC letting Baylor come back within one possession.
Matthew Mayers left the game with 1:37 left with an ankle injury. That resulted in the Bears having one extra player while he was down and resulted in and and one for UNC. The free throw was missed and Baylor took possession with 1:16 left down 79-73.
Baylor fought back and tied the game 80-80. Davis tried for a buzzer beater three but missed sending this game into overtime.
UNC took a four point lead to start overtime. The Tar Heels hit a three and was sent to the line for a foul, they went 1-2. Baylor answered with a quick basket and some free throws by Matthew Mayers to tie it back up 84-84.
Mayers fouls out right after the free throws, that’s a big hit for Baylor as Mayers is phenomenal down low and as a perimeter shooter.
UNC takes control for the remainder of the game and UNC takes the victory.
