CHAPEL HILL, NC – Dawson Garcia had 24 points and 11 rebounds, DJ Carton added 17 points with five assists and Marquette beat North Carolina 83-70 on Wednesday night on a game schedule just four days ago.
It was only the 18th North Carolina non-conference loss in the 35-year history of the Dean E. Smith Center.
North Carolina scored first, but did not lead the rest of the way, as Marquette responded with a 14-2 run. Garcia had 16 points in the first half and Greg Elliott added 13 in the Golden Eagles’ 45-29 victory.
Marquette fought on the defensive block against North Carolina’s pressure defense in the second half, having 10 goals against just nine goals with 5:22 remaining. But the Golden Eagles went on an 8-0 run, with Carton six points, to a 79-63 lead with 2:38 remaining to seal him.
Elliott scored 15 points with four steals and Theo John had 11 for Marquette (11-12). The Golden Eagles, who are currently tenth in the 11th Big East team, have entered a defeat in six of the last eight – with two wins over Butler.
Garrison Brooks led North Carolina (14-8) with 18 points. RJ Davis added 11 points, Walker Kessler scored 10 and Day’Ron Sharpe had nine points and 11 bags.
North Carolina is expected to be ranked 11th by the State of Florida, looking for Coach Roy Williams’ 900th career victory. His 899 wins are the third biggest of all time, behind Mike Krzyzewski (1,168), Jim Boeheim (977) and Bob Knight (902) – all Naismith Hall of Fame. Legendary UNC coach Dean Smith has won 879 games.
Tar Heels postponed home games against Clemson (January 9) and No. 16 Virginia Tech (February 16), along with Tuesday’s street game at Boston College, amid COVID-19 problems involving your opponents.
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