PORTLAND (KFSM)- The No. 9 North Carolina Tar Heels used a big second half scoring surge to pull away from Arkansas 87-68 in the semifinal game of the Phil Knight Invitational Tournament.
Arkansas (4-1) was hoping to avenge their NCAA tournament loss to North Carolina (5-0), but the Tar Heels’ were the victors once again, advancing to the championship game of the Victory bracket on Sunday.
Luke Maye carried the Tar Heels offensively posting career-highs with 28 points and 16 rebounds. North Carolina was most effective defensively, holding the Razorbacks under 80 points for the first time this year. Arkansas shot just 32 percent in the first half and were dominated on the boards getting outrebounded 46-30.
Jaylen Barford led Arkansas with had 21 points and C.J. Jones added 12 off the bench. Usual leading scorer Daryl Macon was limited to just 7 points, Macon missed the final 14:55 after getting hurt. Daniel Gafford, who was averaging nearly 16 points per game, was hampered by foul trouble and finished with just five points.
Next the Razorbacks will face either Michigan State or UConn on Sunday.