North Carolina Tar Heels vs Davidson Wildcats Box Score on Dec 01, 2017

The Sports Xchange
Dec 1, 2017

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Joel Berry scored 27 points and Luke Maye, in a return to his hometown, had 24 points and a career-high 17 rebounds as No. 13 North Carolina pulled away from upset-minded Davidson for an 85-75 victory Friday night at Spectrum Center.

Kenny Williams added 12 points for the Tar Heels (7-1), who might have benefitted at times from a pro-North Carolina crowd despite Davidson's rowdy student section in this neutral-court setting.

Berry limped off at the 5:14 mark shortly after a drive to the lane for a basket. He pointed to his left knee and then left the bench area for a further examination. He returned with 3:49 left.

Peyton Aldridge's 22 points, Jon Axel Gudmundsson's 19 points and Kellan Grady's 18 paced Davidson (3-3), which finished with 14 3-pointers.

The Tar Heels didn't have much breathing room until reserve forward Sterling Manley scored three points and Theo Pinson converted a three-point play at the 9:24 mark. Pinson followed that with a driving layup for a 69-55 lead.

North Carolina held a 43-37 halftime lead, though the Wildcats had several strong stretches.

Davidson led 17-14, but Maye had 11 of the North Carolina points.

Davidson, which entered the game averaging a national-leading 13.8 baskets from 3-point range per game, drained seven long-range shots in the first half.

Aldridge opened the second half with a 3-pointer.

Pinson picked up his third foul with 4:23 remaining in the first half as he reached for an offensive rebound.

North Carolina's Brandon Robinson, a sophomore reserve guard, had eight first-half points to give him a career high.

Davidson guard Rusty Reigel, a senior from Charlotte, fouled out with 4:41 to play.

NOTES: North Carolina is 173-18 in games played in Charlotte, which is about a 2 1/2-hour drive from its campus in Chapel Hill. The Tar Heels also defeated Davidson here three years ago. ... Davidson is 1-6 all-time in the Spectrum Center, which is home to the NBA's Charlotte Hornets. All those games have come against Atlantic Coast Conference members. ... North Carolina backup G Seventh Woods was in a walking boot and he's expected to miss at least a couple of games with a foot injury. ... North Carolina returns home for Sunday's game against Tulane. ... Davidson is off until Tuesday night's home game against Virginia Military Institute.