Overview
- Freshman Derek Dixon scored five of UNC’s final six points, drilling a go-ahead three with 53 seconds left and converting the tiebreaking layup with 16 seconds remaining.
- Caleb Wilson posted 15 points, 12 rebounds and six assists, then added a late free throw and the final inbounds steal to secure the result.
- The Tar Heels controlled the glass 41–30 and turned 20 offensive boards into 22 second-chance points to offset uneven perimeter shooting.
- Kentucky went 1-for-13 from three and endured a second-half stretch of 13 straight misses that lasted more than 10 minutes.
- Henri Veesaar led UNC with 17 points and 10 rebounds in a game featuring 14 lead changes and nine ties, giving the Tar Heels their first road win and handing UK its first home loss to fall to 5–3.