Overview
- California beat North Carolina 84-78 after the Bears drilled 10 first-half threes, built a 54-37 halftime lead, and finished 14-of-26 from deep.
- UNC is 14-4 overall and has dropped three of its last four games, with opponents repeatedly finding open looks from the arc during a pronounced defensive slump.
- Execution issues compounded the loss, as the Tar Heels shot 60.7% at the line (12-of-18 after halftime) to Cal’s 75% and conceded an 18-10 deficit in second-chance points.
- Head coach Hubert Davis said the team must “continue to repeat it, continue to drill it, continue to coach it, and continue to hold guys accountable,” as fan and media scrutiny escalates.
- Freshman Derek Dixon made his first start at point guard and scored 14 points on 4-of-8 from three, and UNC now returns home to face Notre Dame before a tougher ACC stretch.