Chapel Hill, NC – The University of North Carolina Tar Heels men’s basketball team rallied from an early deficit to secure an impressive 78-64 victory over the Elon Phoenix in their season opener on Monday night at the Dean Smith Center.

The Tar Heels faced adversity early in the game, falling behind by as many as 7 points in the first half. Elon‘s sharp shooting and strong defense put pressure on UNC, who struggled to find their rhythm offensively.

In the second half, the Tar Heels turned things around. Led by junior guard Caleb Love, who scored 19 points, they chipped away at Elon‘s lead. With a flurry of three-pointers and aggressive drives to the basket, UNC regained control of the game.

The Tar Heels’ defense also stepped up in the second half, limiting Elon‘s scoring opportunities. Senior forward Leaky Black had a team-high 5 steals, while sophomore center Armando Bacot contributed 4 blocks.

UNC‘s victory was a team effort, with multiple players contributing significant scoring. In addition to Love, junior forward Puff Johnson scored 16 points, freshman guard Seth Trimble added 13 points, and Bacot chipped in with 11 points.

After the game, head coach Hubert Davis praised his team’s resiliency and determination. “I’m proud of the way our guys fought back tonight,” he said. “They never gave up, and they showed a lot of character.”

| Statistic | UNC | Elon |
|:———–|——–|——|
| Points | 78 | 64 |
| Field Goals | 29 (47%) | 23 (39%) |
| Rebounds | 43 | 26 |
| Assists | 18 | 12 |
| Steals | 10 | 4 |
| Blocks | 7 | 3 |

The UNC Tar Heels rallied to secure an impressive victory in their season opener against Elon. Led by Caleb Love‘s scoring and a strong defensive effort, the Tar Heels overcame a slow start to triumph. This win sets the tone for a promising season for the Tar Heels, who aim to compete for a national championship this year.