North Carolina snuck past pesky rival NC State on Saturday afternoon, 63-61. In a sluggish, sloppy must-win conference game, the Tar Heels prevailed down the stretch. After North Carolina led by as much as nine, the Wolfpack stormed back to recapture the lead with 2:29 remaining. The efforts of Jalen Washington propelled the Tar Heels to their third consecutive victory.
Ian Jackson led all scorers with 21 points, and Elliot Cadeau poured in nine assists as well. But the player of the game for North Carolina was undoubtedly Jalen Washington. The junior secured his first career double-double, tallying 11 points and 12 rebounds — a season-high on the glass.