DJ Horne scored 29 points, and DJ Burns scored 20 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 assists as North Carolina State upset North Carolina 84-76 in the ACC Tournament Finals.
North Carolina State made five of its first six shots from the floor as it jumped to a 14-4 lead over the Tar Heels. The blitz included three three-pointers.
North Carolina started to find a rhythm on offense, but North Carolina State continued on its hot start even if it took some bounce like the one on DJ Burns’ short jumper.
The Wolfpack led North Carolina 22-16 with 9:52 left in the half.
North Carolina’s RJ Davis caught fire, hitting three three-pointers in a 1:50 span to tie the game at 28.
Davis’ two free throws gave North Carolina its first lead at 30-28.
North Carolina State took the lead back on a Burns’ three-pointer at the end of the shot clock.
The Tar Heels would take the lead back (40-39) when Cormac Ryan hit a corner three-pointer as the clock expired.
NC State started the second half with a strategy different from the first. Instead of draining threes, the Wolfpack concentrated on throwing it inside or driving to the paint.
Burns rewarded Kevin Keatts’ strategy. With North Carolina choosing not to double, Burns would dominate Bacot early in the half.
Burns and DJ Horne scored the Wolfpack’s first 11 points of the half as North Carolina State would lead 50-46.
Horne’s two free throws gave North Carolina State a 10-point lead with 4:05 left.
North Carolina got to within seven points with 1:47.
