Johnson helps No. 19 UNC top No. 14 Louisville 70-60 in ACCs
[gtxvideo vid=”VebHHKGg” playlist=”” pid=”Bbt3TRDe” thumb=”http://player.gtxcel.com/thumbs/VebHHKGg.jpg” vtitle=”unc louisville”]
GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) Brice Johnson scored 18 of his 22 points after halftime to help No. 19 North Carolina outlast No. 14 Louisville 70-60 in Thursday’s Atlantic Coast Conference tournament quarterfinals.
Marcus Paige added 13 points for the fifth-seeded Tar Heels (23-10), who regrouped from an ugly first half and took control in the final 7 minutes to take the third tough matchup between the teams this season.
UNC used an 8-0 run to finally push ahead for good, with Kennedy Meeks coming up with some key plays despite being limited by a recent illness. The Tar Heels then went 6-for-6 at the line in the final minute to seal it and earn a date with No. 3 Virginia in the semifinals.
Terry Rozier scored 20 to lead the fourth-seeded Cardinals (24-8), who shot just 8-for-36 (22 percent) after halftime, including a 5-minute drought that tipped a tight contest toward UNC.
