Harrison Ingram's awakening from deep helps No. 1 North Carolina advance to Sweet 16
No. 1 North Carolina is Sweet 16 bound, thanks largely to forward Harrison Ingram's unconscious shooting performance from beyond the arc.
Ingram was remarkably efficient from three, making five of seven attempts, scoring 17 points in an 85-69 win over No. 9 Michigan State in the Round of 32.
The juniors' five three-pointers were a career-high and only one fewer than Michigan State's (6-of-16) as a team. Meanwhile, it was a bounce-back performance for Ingram, who had made only seven of 27 attempts from three-point range over his previous six games.
Ingram's biggest three of the game may have been his last. With 6:23 remaining and North Carolina nursing a nine-point lead, he hit his fifth three of the night, helping the Tar Heels pull away for good.
Trailing the Spartans by as many as 12 in the first half, the Tar Heels battled back, ultimately taking a 40-31 lead at halftime. They kept Michigan State at arm's length in the second half, earning a breezy 16-point victory.
Ingram, who also added seven rebounds, was one of four North Carolina players to finish in double figures. Guard RJ Davis recorded 20 points, including three three-pointers, while forward Armando Bacon finished with 18 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks.
Saturday's 12-point deficit is the largest overcome by UNC since the program came back from 16 points down to defeat USC in the 2007 Sweet 16. Meanwhile, the victory extends the Tar Heels record for Sweet 16 trips to 31, three more than Duke (28).
North Carolina now awaits the winner of No. 12 Grand Canyon and No. 4 Alabama, whom they'll meet for the right to play in the Elite Eight.
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