CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Seeking a breakthrough victory, Georgia Tech pushed No. 7 North Carolina to the hilt, but were undone by the talented and swift Tar Heels. Seeking the first win over North Carolina in coach Brian Gregory’s tenure, the Yellow Jackets were denied by a 86-78 score in their ACC opener.
Sparked by guard Adam Smith’s 20 points, the Jackets (10-4 overall, 0-1 ACC) led for much of the game and were ahead by one at the 6:00 mark, but could not complete the upset against the Tar Heels’ arsenal of scorers.
Avoiding turnovers and benefiting from an off shooting game from North Carolina (13-2, 2-0), Tech played by far its best game against the Tar Heels in Gregory’s tenure.