The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
5-0
North Carolina
5-1
Men's Basketball defeats No. 7/6 North Carolina, 92-89
11.22.2018 | Men's Basketball
Senior Kerwin Roach II posts a career-high 32 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds to lead the Longhorns.
LAS VEGAS, Nevada — Senior guard Kerwin Roach II registered a career-high 32 points to lead Texas (5-0) to a 92-89 victory against No. 7/6 North Carolina (5-1) in the Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational on Thursday at Orleans Arena. Roach converted 12-of-15 field goals, including 3-of-3 from three-point range, and 5-of-7 free throws while adding 7 assists, 6 rebounds and 4 steals in 34 minutes.
UT recorded its first neutral-site victory against an AP Top 10 team since the Longhorns defeated No. 10 North Carolina 103-90 on Dec. 19, 2009 in Arlington, Texas. Sophomore guard Matt Coleman III posted 16 points and 5 assists, while freshman forward Jaxson Hayes added 15 points (5-5 FG), 9 rebounds and 3 blocks. Senior forward Dylan Osetkowski also reached double figures in scoring (14 points) for the Longhorns. Colby White paced UNC with 33 points.
UNC jumped out to a 17-4 lead at the 15:27 mark, but UT responded with a 12-2 run over the next five minutes to trim the deficit to 19-16 with 10:40 remaining after a Coleman three-pointer. The Tar Heels extended their cushion to 36-29 at the 4:03 mark. Texas answered by closing the half on a 14-6 run, capped by an Osetkowski three at the buzzer, to take a 43-42 lead into the break.
Texas forced 14 UNC turnovers in the opening 20 minutes and posted a 24-12 margin in points off turnovers in the first half. Roach tallied 18 points, 5 assists, 4 boards and 3 steals in 16 minutes in the opening 20 minutes.
The Longhorns converted 62.5-percent (15-24) from the floor, including 5-of-8 from three-point range, in the second half. Texas build its lead to as much as 11 points (66-55) after a Roach layup at the 11:08 mark.
UT held an 87-80 lead with 3:30 left following a Coleman free throw. The Tar Heels closed to within 87-85 after a pair of White free throws at the 2:14 mark. A Coleman free throw and a pair of free throws by Hayes extended UT's advantage to 90-85 with 21 seconds left.
UNC used a 3-pointer from Nassir Little with six seconds left to trim the deficit to 91-89, but sophomore guard Jase Febres hit a free throw with 1.9 seconds remaining to give the Longhorns a three-point cushion. Hayes deflected the ensuing inbounds pass to seal the win.
Texas Basketball Postgame Notes
Texas 92, #7/6 North Carolina 89
Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational Semifinals
November 22, 2018
Orleans Arena (Las Vegas, Nevada)
Attendance: 7,489
Team Notes
- Texas improved to 8-3 all-time in the series against North Carolina. The Longhorns have won four straight and eight of the last nine meetings against the Tar Heels.
- The Longhorns recorded a neutral-site win against an AP Top 10 opponent for the first time since UT defeated No. 10 North Carolina 103-90 on Dec. 19, 2009 in Arlington, Texas.
- Texas set a team season high in field goal percentage (52.5, 31-59) and three-point field goal percentage (45.8, 11-24).
- UT converted 62.5-percent (15-24) from the floor in the second half, including a 62.5-percent mark (5-8) from three-point range.
- UT registered a 31-19 advantage in points off turnovers.
- Reached double figures in scoring (16 points) for the second time this year (5 games) and 18th time in his career (39 games)
- Reached double figures in scoring (season-high 15 points) for the fourth time this year (5 games)
- Set a season high in rebounds (9) and free throws made (5-6) and tied his season high in blocks (3) and field goals made (5-5)
- Reached double figures in scoring (14 points) for the fourth time this season (5 games) and 29th time in his UT career (39 games)
- Set career highs in points (32) and field goals made (12-15)
- Topped the 30-point mark for the first time in his career (101 games)
- Topped the 20-point mark for the first time this season (4 games) and eighth time in his career
- Reached double figures in scoring for the fourth time this season and 50th time in his career
- Also tallied season highs in assists (7) and steals (4) and added 6 rebounds in 34 minutes
- Posted 18 points (6-8 FG, 3-3 threes), 5 assists & 4 rebounds in 16 minutes in the first half
- Roach tallied 32 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds & 4 steals. Per Stats by Stats, in the past 20 years, the only other major conference player to reach ALL of those marks is LSU's Ben Simmons (Dec. 2, 2015).
Up Next
Texas concludes play in the Continental Las Vegas Invitational with a matchup against No. 11/11 Michigan State in the championship game on Friday, Nov. 23. Tip is set for 5:30 p.m. CT (3:30 p.m. PT), and the game will be televised nationally by FOX.
