Tech secured the last-place spot in the ACC with its loss to UNC at Dean Smith Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C., being routed 104-74. It was Tech’s seventh straight loss.
Senior Lewis Clinch continued his scoring-streak, leading the team with 22 points in 34 minutes. He made 6-of-15 three point shots. Senior Alade Aminu scored 19 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Sophomore Gani Lawal scored 12 points and had four rebounds in just 20 minutes of play.
Freshman Iman Shumpert was held scoreless for the first time this season, making zero-of-six from the field. While he averaged 13 points in four games earlier in the season, he only managed four total and 13 turnovers in the games against Clemson and UNC.
The team continued its struggles with free throws and turnovers, making just 3-of-10 and committing 18 turnovers. They had only 17 assists to their 18 turnovers. In contrast, UNC went to the line 29 times and made 26 of their free throws, including a record setting eight-for-eight by senior Tyler Hansbrough. The mark pushed him over the all-time record for free throws. They also finished with 26 assists and 15 turnovers.
Hansbrough continued his dominance over Tech, scoring 28 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Tech has been a victim of some of Hansbrough’s best games in his four years as a Tar Heel.
Despite the lopsided score, Tech kept it close for most of the first half, trailing by just two points with over six minutes left in the game, 30-28. The Tar Heels then went on a 16-5 to end the half and Tech was never able to cut the lead any closer for the rest of the game.
While the Jackets held the Tar Heels to just four-of-14 from the three point line, they allowed the team to shoot 37-of-69 overall. Four of the starters were in double figures, and no player had more than 29 minutes of play.