North Carolina Opens Malone Era With 80-72 Win

North Carolina opened Michael Malone’s coaching tenure with an 80-72 victory over Western Carolina in Chapel Hill on November 2. The Tar Heels led 39-30 at halftime, but the Catamounts twice pulled within a point in the second half before UNC pulled away late.

A 13-2 run in the final six minutes gave North Carolina breathing room. The Tar Heels kept Western Carolina from making a basket for over five minutes in that stretch, which ended with Neo Avdalas making a three-pointer while drawing a foul. Avdalas scored 13 points, while Terrence Brown had 14.

Able, a transfer from North Carolina State, finished with 18 points. He helped UNC jump to an early 10-0 lead, making his first three shots, including two three-pointers.

The win came with clear areas for improvement. North Carolina shot 41.8% from the field and made 9 of 30 attempts from three-point range. Western Carolina made 10 threes and outrebounded the Tar Heels 41-32, including a 13-7 advantage on the offensive glass. UNC also struggled to maintain its early lead as the Catamounts mounted their second-half challenge.

Malone said the team needed to keep working on its rebounding, adding that he wanted starting frontcourt players Jarin Stevenson and Sayon Keita to average seven to 10 boards. UNC next hosts Wofford on Friday, beginning a stretch of six straight home games. Western Carolina visits UNC Asheville on Saturday.