With North Carolina missing Caleb Wilson once again, it was time for someone else to step up in a pivotal ACC matchup against Louisville on Monday. That guy? Seth Trimble.
The guard had a career night, scoring 30 points to help lead the Tar Heels to the big win.
After falling behind by 9 in the first half, the Tar Heels rallied. They cut into that lead with an 11-2 run to cut it down to two before halftime. They made a push at the end of the first half and eventually took a 39-38 lead at halftime.
It was the second half where UNC made its big push. The Tar Heels opened up the second half on a 17-2 run to grab a 56-40 lead. They were in control, backed by Trimble's play and got some big shots from Luka Bogavac, Jarin Stevenson and Derek Dixon along the way.
As Louisville inched closer, the Tar Heels were able to hold the lead the entire way. However, it got a little dicey at the end.
North Carolina struggled with free throws, making just 9-of-19 in the game and missed a few late. That allowed Louisville to get some big buckets late and cut it down to 74-71. But a Mikel Brown missed layup and two Trimble free throws later essentially sealed it as Dixon drained another free throw with 1.3 seconds left.
Trimble finished with 30 points on an efficient 11-of-16 from the field. He went 7-of-1 from the free-throw line as well in the game.
Both Veesaar and Bogavac had 12 points in the game. UNC was outrebounded 41-32 in the game as well.
The Tar Heels will not host Virginia Tech on Saturday night and as of now they are the No. 5 seed in the ACC Tournament.
The Tar Heels hold off a late Louisville push to beat the Cardinals in a thrilling home win. UNC remains perfect at home this season. Seth Trimble has a career-high 30 points in the win.
Louisville buries a 3. There's 1.3 seconds left, UNC leads 76-74.
Mikel Brown misses a driving layup. UNC rebounds. Seth Trimble makes both free throws. UNC takes a 76-71 lead with 9.3 left.
A 16-point lead is down to 3. UNC 74-71 with 46.7 seconds left.
They lead 74-69 with 1:01 left in the game after two Jarin Stevenson free throws.
We are coming down to crunch time. UNC and Louisville are exchanging baskets. The Tar Heels lead 72--64 with 2:26 left to go.
The guard has led UNC all night and now has 24 points as the Tar Heels hold a 63-54 lead with 8:04 left.
The Cardinals go on a quick 7-0 run to make it 56-47 with 11:30 left.
The Tar Heels are off to a 17-2 start in the second half, dominating the first six minutes of this second half. The run has been highlighted by Seth Trimble who threw down a monster fast break dunk. UNC leads 56-40 with 13:36 left.
Derek Dixon drains a 3 and UNC leads 52-40. Louisville has yet to make a basket in the second half.
North Carolina's defense has been stellar early on in this second half as they hold a 49-40 lead. The offense has been pretty darn good too. Let's see if they can maintain control of the game.
Seth Trimble has 20 points now as UNC takes a 46-39 lead with 18:12 left in the game. Trimble has four of the Tar Heels seven points in the second half.
North Carolina closes out the first half strong to take a 39-38 lead at halftime.
Two three-pointers from Louisville gives them the lead at 35-33.
North Carolina's run goes on as they finally take the lead. Seth Trimble's And-1 layup gives UNC a 33-29 advantage with 5:26 left in the first half.
The Tar Heels go on an 11-2 run to cut the lead down to 25-23. That was sparked by Zayden High coming off the bench.
The Cardinals have made 5 of their first 11 three-pointers so far in this game. They are dominating UNC from the three-point line.
The Cardinals take a 14-11 lead early on at the Under-16 timeout. Both teams are really pushing the basketball up and down the floor.
We knew both teams wanted to play fast and score quickly. Louisville has an 11-9 lead early on.
WHAT?North Carolina Tar Heels (21-6, 8-5 ACC) vs. Louisville (20-7, 9-5 ACC)
WHEN?Monday, Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. ET
WHERE?Dean Smith Center (21,750) in Chapel Hill
TV?ESPN
RADIO? SiriusXM (Channel 193)
LINE?Louisville -3.5
LAST MEETING?Louisville 83, North Carolina 70 on Jan. 1, 2025
ALL-TIME SERIES:North Carolina leads all-time series 20-8
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC Basketball: Seth Trimble lifts Tar Heels past Louisville
