Anna 
The No. 11 seed North Carolina men’s basketball team (23-13, 13-7 ACC) delivered a commanding performance against San Diego State (21-10, 14-6 MWC), securing a 95-68 victory in the First Four matchup at UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio, on Tuesday night. The win propels the Tar Heels into the first round of the NCAA Tournament, where they will face No. 6 seed Ole Miss on Friday in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
UNC entered the tournament with its lowest seed in program history after earning the final at-large bid. However, the Tar Heels quickly silenced any doubts, showcasing a dominant offensive display. They shot 60.9 percent from the field, 77.8 percent from three-point range, and converted all of their free throws in the first half. Graduate guard RJ Davis led the charge, posting a game-high 26 points while hitting a perfect 6-for-6 from beyond the arc.
Despite a shaky start that saw UNC commit six turnovers in the opening minutes, the team quickly found its rhythm. As San Diego State struggled to generate offense, the Tar Heels capitalized with an 8-0 run, fueled by Davis’ five points. The Aztecs endured a nearly three-minute scoring drought, while UNC extended its advantage at the free-throw line.
A 7-0 run—consisting entirely of free throws—further distanced UNC from San Diego State. Shortly after, the Tar Heels put together an 11-0 surge, widening the gap to 33-13 with just under six minutes left in the first half. Although the Aztecs managed a pair of late three-pointers, Davis responded with a buzzer-beating trey, giving UNC a commanding 47-23 halftime lead.
North Carolina maintained its intensity after the break, opening the second half with a 6-0 run that included another three-pointer from Davis. Contributions from junior forward Ven-Allen Lubin and junior guard Jae’Lyn Withers inside the paint helped extend the lead to 57-30 with over 15 minutes left to play.
Davis continued to fuel the Tar Heels’ momentum, scoring five quick points in a one-minute span. First-year guard Ian Jackson, sophomore guard Elliot Cadeau, and junior guard Seth Trimble added to the offensive explosion. Davis later buried another three-pointer on a fast break, pushing the lead to 40 points.
With seven minutes remaining, Davis was still a perfect 6-for-6 from deep. As North Carolina emptied its bench, the two teams traded baskets down the stretch, but the outcome was never in doubt.
With this convincing victory, UNC advances to face No. 6 seed Ole Miss in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday at 4:05 p.m. in Milwaukee.
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