Tar Heels cruise past Boston College 91-65

BOSTON (AP) — Caleb Love matched his season high of 22 points for the fifth time and three other Tar Heels scored 17 or more as North Carolina rolled past Boston College 91-65 on Saturday.

Love was 7-of-11 shooting with four 3-pointers. Armando Bacot added 18 points with 11 rebounds for his Atlantic Coast Conference-leading ninth double-double. RJ Davis, who made all five of his shots, and Brady Manek scored 17 points each. The Tar Heels (10-3, 2-0) shot 52.5%, including 48% from 3-point range, making 11 of 23 from the arc.

Jaeden Zackery scored 13 points and Makai Ashton-Langford 12 for the Eagles (6-6, 1-1).

The Eagles hadn't played since Dec. 13 because of final exams and COVID issues with ACC games against Wake Forest and Florida State postponed and this meeting pushed back a day. The layoff was evident with the Eagles shooting only 16.7% in the first half and finishing at 31%, making only 8 of 28 3-point attempts.

North Carolina, however, was in fine form after a slow start. UNC missed its first seven shots but then went 9 of 13 to lead 27-11 after consecutive 3s by Manek. The Tar Heels went on to shoot 47% in the half and already had four players in double figures by the break, leading 49-20.

A 15-3 run in second half — with Love hitting three 3-pointers, made it a 35-point lead 5 1/2 minutes into the second half.

UNC starter Dawson Garcia left the game two minutes in after hitting his head on floor and did not return.

The Tar Heels were playing their first game since Dec. 21. A game against Virginia Tech on Wednesday was postponed because of COVID issues with the Hokies. North Carolina plays at Notre Dame on Wednesday. The Eagles are at Pittsburgh on Saturday.

UNC has won the last seven meetings in Boston and the last 13 of 14 overall.

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