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Ian Jackson, UNC Thrill CBB Fans By Rallying Past No. 18 UCLA for Upset Win

Timothy Rapp@@TRappaRTX.com LogoFeatured Columnist IVDecember 21, 2024

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 17: Ian Jackson #11 of the North Carolina Tar Heels looks on in the second half of his game against the Florida Gators during the Jumpman Invitational at Spectrum Center on December 17, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Matt Kelley/Getty Images)
Matt Kelley/Getty Images

How's that for a comeback?

Despite trailing by as many as 16 points in the second half, North Carolina stunned No. 18 UCLA on Saturday, winning 76-74 behind Ian Jackson's 24 points off the bench.

NCAA March Madness @MarchMadnessMBB

North Carolina has clawed their way back into this game 👀<br><br>(via <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CBSSports</a>)<a href="https://t.co/mjO10qLFsa">pic.twitter.com/mjO10qLFsa</a>

North Carolina only held two leads in the entire game—2-0 early in the contest, and the late lead after RJ Davis' free throws put them up a point with just seven seconds remaining:

CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 @CBSSportsCBB

CLUTCH. <br>RJ Davis gives <a href="https://twitter.com/UNC_Basketball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UNC_Basketball</a> the lead. <a href="https://t.co/Xsd8dI4MFf">pic.twitter.com/Xsd8dI4MFf</a>

CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 @CBSSportsCBB

"Roy's got a smile on his face." <br><br>The <a href="https://twitter.com/UNC_Basketball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UNC_Basketball</a> legend likes what he sees from the Tar Heels. <a href="https://t.co/rsT84tEPTe">pic.twitter.com/rsT84tEPTe</a>

UCLA had a chance at a game-winning bucket but Sebastian Mack missed his attempt, Drake Powell secured the defensive rebound, hit one of his two free throws and that was all she wrote.

Davis finished with 17 points, while Tyler Bilodeau led the Bruins with 26 points and Mack added 22 points off the bench.

After the contest, fans and pundits alike were impressed with the comeback victory:

Brendan Marks @BrendanRMarks

What a final defensive stand by Elliot Cadeau<br><br>UNC gets the resume-defining win it needs. UCLA + Dayton, both on neutral sites, is at least something for the Tar Heels to stand on in the nonconference.<br><br>Still would obviously rather stop falling behind… but a win is a win

Ian Jackson, UNC Thrill CBB Fans By Rallying Past No. 18 UCLA for Upset Win
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Andy Katz @TheAndyKatz

That was as big a must-win for <a href="https://twitter.com/UNC_Basketball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UNC_Basketball</a> in December as they've had recently. Come back on <a href="https://twitter.com/UCLAMBB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UCLAMBB</a> here <a href="https://twitter.com/TheGarden?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheGarden</a>.

Jon Rothstein @JonRothstein

North Carolina just changed the course of its season. Tar Heels come back to beat UCLA at MSG. A terrible loss for the Bruins, who continue to struggle at the FT line.

Florida Gators 🐊🔥 @gatorsszn

Oh so UNC isn't bad? Imagine that. They've just played 7 teams that are currently ranked. <br><br>That is a good win. <a href="https://t.co/jytVf2cvsq">pic.twitter.com/jytVf2cvsq</a>

Jeff Goodman @GoodmanHoops

North Carolina gets a much-needed resume win with a 76-74 comeback victory over UCLA. <br><br>Freshman Ian Jackson provided another offensive spark to help out RJ Davis. <br><br>The Tar Heels had lost to KU, Auburn, Michigan State, Alabama and Florida. <br><br>This was huge - especially since…

Neil 👑 @K1NGNE1L

North Carolina finally won themselves a game against a ranked team

Max Tucker @Max_Tuckr1

What a way for North Carolina to bounce back after a narrow two-possession loss to Florida earlier this week. Tar Heels come back from down 16 to take down UCLA.

Justin Hokanson @_JHokanson

North Carolina comes back from double digits down to beat UCLA, good to see they are still alive and kicking<br><br>And helps Auburn's SOS for the time being

Rush the Court @rushthecourt

North Carolina outscored UCLA 26-13 over the final ten minutes.<br><br>Shades of the 2022 NCAA Tournament where the Heels outscored the Bruins 22-12 over the final 10 minutes to advance with a 73-66 win.

The Tar Heels badly needed this win. The team is now just 7-5 on the season and has struggled against top opponents this season, with losses to Kansas, Auburn, Michigan State, Alabama and Florida. Expectations are always high in Chapel Hill—especially after the team opened the season with a top-10 ranking—and a 6-6 start to the season, even against a tough schedule, would have been deemed unacceptable.

Saturday's victory was only worth one win in the long run, but the Tar Heels needed to show they could handle a better opponent, and showing the resolve to erase a major deficit is an added bonus. If North Carolina ends up going on a run in March, Saturday's win will probably be remembered as the catalyst for the turnaround.

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