CLEMSON, S.C. — North Carolina’s much-maligned guard Caleb Love shook off his struggles when it mattered most. Love made a go-ahead 3-pointer with 36 seconds left. Then had a drive and assist to Brady Manek for the game-winning layup with 3.1 seconds as the Tar Heels escaped Clemson with a 79-77 win in Littlejohn Coliseum on Tuesday.
UNC forward Armando Bacot, who had game highs with 24 points and 10 rebounds, fouled out with 1:04 left and the Heels trailing 75-74. Bacot ran into Clemson guard David Collins, who may have exaggerated the contact when he fell.
It left Carolina without its most consistent scorer for the game’s remaining vital possessions. But Love made the two biggest plays of the game for the Heels in the final minute.Trailing 75-74, Love got isolated on Clemson’s P.J. Hall and pulled up for a 3-pointer. He had made just one of his prior six attempts from behind the arc, but nailed it when it counted.
