Trayce Jackson-Davis pumped in 21 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and blocked four shots for No. 10 Indiana, which was in control throughout most of a 77-65 win over No. 18 North Carolina on Wednesday in Bloomington, Ind.
Xavier Johnson had 20 points, including seven on free throws in the last 69 seconds, and Jalen Hood-Schifino provided 14 points in what could be a huge statement from the Hoosiers (7-0) in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge matchup.
Trey Galloway came off the Indiana bench to rack up 11 points on 5-for-7 shooting from the field.
It marked more trouble for North Carolina (5-3), which reached the national championship game last spring and now will exit November with three consecutive losses in the new season. It’s the program’s first three-game skid since a seven-game skid in February 2020.
Pete Nance collected 15 points and 12 rebounds and Armando Bacot added 12 points and 10 rebounds for North Carolina. Caleb Love had 13 points, and RJ Davis added 11 points and seven boards.
North Carolina, which was the preseason No. 1 team in the country and held that spot until Monday’s new poll, was coming off losses to Iowa State and Alabama in Portland, Ore.
Indiana won despite shooting only 3-for-13 on 3-point attempts. The Hoosiers were solid with ballhandling, however, committing only eight turnovers.
Jackson exceeded the 20-point mark for the third time this season.
The Hoosiers kept applying pressure and extended their lead to 52-39.
North Carolina failed to sustain rallies. The Tar Heels were within 59-52, but missed a free throw and then failed to score on their next two possessions.
Indiana led 35-29 at halftime, boosted by Hood-Schifino’s 12 points.
The Tar Heels shot only 28.6 percent in the first half, though they made 4 of 8 on 3-point attempts. That put them at 4-for-20 inside the arc, though they were saved by 9-for-14 shooting on free throws compared with Indiana’s 3-for-6. Nance had 11 points at the break.
Indiana improved to 5-2 all-time in home games vs. the Tar Heels. The Hoosiers have won four of five meetings between the teams in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
–Field Level Media
