J.J. Mann hit the goahead 3-pointer with 13.1 seconds left to help Belmont upset No. 12 North Carolina 83-80 in Chapel Hill on Sunday at the Hall of Fame Tipoff.
Ma n n fi n ished w it h a career-best 28 points. His last basket gave the Bruins (3-1) an 81-80 lead. The Tar Heels (2-1) had rallied from 11 down in the second half to lead by eight with about 4 minutes left. After Mann’s basket, UNC’s J.P. Tokoto missed a shot for the lead from near the top of the key. Drew Windler grabbed the loose rebound and threw it ahead to Caleb Chowbay, who scored on abreakaway layup with 0.2 seconds left to seal a stunning win.
When the horn sounded, Belmont’s players spilled off the bench to celebrate near midcourt.
“There aren’t great victories unless you beat great programs,” longtime Belmont coach and Knoxville native Rick Byrd said. “… It’s a big moment right now for us.” Mann hit five 3 -pointers and added nine rebounds to lead the Bruins, who hit 15 of 37 3s.
Windler scored 16 points and hit four 3s of his own for the Bruins, who shot 45percent for the game and hit 20 of 22 free throws to steal back a game that looked to be slipping away late.
James Michael McAdoo scored a career-high 27 points and had 13 rebounds to lead the Tar Heels, who again played without leading scorer P.J. Hairston and senior guard Leslie McDonald due to NCAA eligibility concerns. Paige finished with 17 points.