In a thrilling matchup, RJ Davis lit up the court with a career-high 42 points, including four consecutive 3-pointers in the second half, leading No. 9 North Carolina to a 75-71 victory over Miami on Monday night. Davis, a senior guard, set a Smith Center scoring record, scoring 21 points in each half and shooting an impressive 7 for 11 on 3s.
Despite Miami's efforts, with Norchad Omier scoring 22 points, Bensley Joseph adding 21, and Kyshawn George contributing 14, the Tar Heels managed to hold onto the lead. Miami's losing streak extended to seven games, as they fell to 15-14 overall and 6-12 in the ACC.
With less than 7 1/2 minutes remaining, Davis took over the game, hitting key shots and making plays when it mattered most. He went 1 for 2 at the free-throw line with 24.4 seconds left, giving UNC a crucial 73-70 lead.
North Carolina now sits atop the ACC standings with a 22-6 overall record and a 14-3 conference record, extending their lead to 1 1/2 games over second-place Duke. Miami, on the other hand, faces an uphill battle with only one win in four games against AP Top 25 teams this season.
Davis' performance not only secured the win but also set a new arena record, surpassing Tyler Hansbrough's previous record of 40 points. The victory marked a milestone for head coach Hubert Davis, who notched his 100th win (71-29) with the Tar Heels.
Miami will look to bounce back at home against Boston College on March 6, while North Carolina will face North Carolina State at home on Saturday.
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