Though the score looked like a midseason conference Big Ten game, the No. 5 North Carolina Tar Heels actually turned up the offensive juice in the second half of the final game of the Big Ten-ACC Challenge against the No. 9 Wisconsin Badgers, ultimately winning 60-57.
North Carolina Vs. Wisconsin Final Score: Tar Heels End Big Ten-ACC Challenge With Win, 60-57
The No. 5 Tar Heels used a big second half from Harrison Barnes and stifling defense to defeat the No. 7 Wisconsin Badgers in Chapel Hill in the final game of the Big Ten-ACC Challenge.
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Thought at one point, the Tar Heels were leading the Badgers by double digits, Bo Ryan's squad simply would not go away down the stretch on the strength of their preseason All-American, point guard Jordan Taylor. Taylor had a furious run to try to bring the Badgers back in the final minute, eventually getting the score to within five with 24 seconds to go, but missed a wide-open three-pointer and the Badgers weren't able to foul a Tar Heel until four seconds were left on the clock, sealing the game.
The story for the Tar Heels was defense, playing a Big Ten-style game on that end. John Henson grabbed 17 rebounds with those lanky arms of his and Dexter Strickland, aside from the last minute of the game, played absolutely phenomenal one-on-one defense against Taylor to force other Badgers to beat the Heels, and, ultimately, they couldn't.
Harrison Barnes led all scorers with 20 points, and was the key offensive force in the second half as the Tar Heels built their lead. Taylor scored 18, but on 6-20 shooting, including 3-11 from three-point land.
For more on these two teams, visit UNC blog Carolina March and Wisconsin blog Bucky’s 5th Quarter.
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