Mark Sears scored 20 points to lead six Alabama players in double figures as the No. 10 Crimson Tide recorded a 94-79 runaway victory over No. 20 North Carolina in the SEC/ACC Challenge on Wednesday in Chapel Hill, N.C.Labaron Philon and Aden Holloway both had 15 points, Clifford Omoruyi and Derrion Reid had 11 apiece and Grant Nelson provided 10 for the Crimson Tide (7-2).It was a rematch of a Sweet 16 matchup last season, which was also won by Alabama, but this one didn’t live up to the billing.Freshman Ian Jackson scored a season-high 23 points for North Carolina (4-4), which has lost three games in a row. RJ Davis racked up 18 points, and Seth Trimble had 12 points.Alabama hit 12 of 33 shots from 3-point range (36.4 percent), while North Carolina suffered through 5-for-28 long-range shooting (17.9 percent). Davis was 1-for-11 from beyond the arc.The Crimson Tide posted nine straight points early in the second half for a 52-38 edge. The gap grew to 67-50 with 11:24 to play.The Tar Heels trimmed an 18-point deficit to 74-64 before Alabama scored five consecutive points to dash that threat.Alabama led 43-34 at halftime, having hit seven 3-pointers compared to North Carolina’s two successful treys.Sears poured in 11 points in the first eight minutes as the Crimson Tide built a 21-14 lead.
No. 10 Alabama sends No. 20 UNC to third straight loss
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