UNC's Late Escape Defeats Ohio State

ATLANTA — North Carolina controlled most of the game and then engineered a late escape to beat Ohio State in the final seconds, 71-70, inside State Farm Arena in Saturday’s annual CBS Sports Classic game.

The No. 12-ranked Tar Heels (11-1) led by as many as 11 in the second half before the Buckeyes came all the way back and took a 70-67 lead on a four-point play with 48.7 seconds to go. UNC turned to Seth Trimble, making his highly-anticipated return. First Trimble delivered a driving layup to cut the lead and then — after a UNC full court press forced a turnover — he down drove into the Ohio State defense and got the ball to Henri Veesaar, who dunked home the game-winner with 7.1 seconds to go.

Trimble totaled 17 points, including three three-pointers, and six assists in his return. Caleb Wilson had a game-high 20 points (16 of which came in the second half) with 15 rebounds and three blocks. Henri Veesaar also came up big, with 17 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.

UNC and Ohio State changed leads six times in the first 12 minutes of the game. Both teams struggled offensively to start the game, shooting a combined 4-19 from the field by the first media timeout.

North Carolina seemed to get some separation initially in the first half, going ahead by nine points on a Caleb Wilson turnaround jumper with 3:30 to go in the half. But the Buckeyes went on an 11-2 run to tie the game late in the half. A Derek Dixon 3-pointer gave UNC a three-point lead going into halftime.

UNC secured its first double-digit lead of the game in the second half after a Jarin Stevenson rejection on Bruce Thornton’s layup attempt led to a finger roll layup from Caleb Wilson on the other end. Ohio State never went away in the second half, though.

After not playing since Nov. 7, Trimble was in the starting lineup. He displayed his transition ability in the first half, creating layup opportunities by running the floor and drawing fouls. Trimble wore a padded sleeve on his left forearm. The senior guard shot 0-7 from three in his first two games of the season, but he knocked down three 3-pointers in the second half against the Buckeyes.

North Carolina will return home to close out its non-conference schedule. The Tar Heels face East Carolina on Monday at 8 p.m. in the Smith Center.