RJ Davis, Seth Trimble help UNC basketball survive with overtime win vs Boston College

Posted by author January 25, 2025 Basketball

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UNC basketball survived and beat Boston College, but it didn’t alleviate any concerns about the Tar Heels.

By the time the final buzzer sounded in at the Smith Center, the scoreboard read: UNC 102, Boston College 96.

Down four points with 26 seconds left in the second half, the Tar Heels (13-8, 6-3 ACC) rallied and won in overtime against the Eagles (9-11, 1-8). RJ Davis scored 22 points led five UNC players in double figures.

Seth Trimble had a double-double (18 points, 12 rebounds), Ian Jackson dropped 19 points, Jalen Washington had 18 and Elliot Cadeau had 13 to join Davis with double-digit points.

Here are observations from UNC’s overtime win against Boston College.

UNC basketball’s defense was really, really bad against the Eagles

Boston College, which hasn’t scored 100 points since 2008, came close to getting to the century mark against a UNC defense that couldn’t slow down the Eagles. Boston College shot 55% overall and 58% from 3-point range, knocking down 14 of 24 shots from beyond the arc. Donald Hand Jr. had 26 points and Dion Brown added 20 to lead the Eagles. If UNC plays defense like that in its next four games, it’ll lose each of them — to Pitt (twice), Duke and Clemson.

Seth Trimble returns to starting lineup, shines as scorer and rebounder for Tar Heels

Seth Trimble was back in the starting lineup for the first time since returning from a three-game absence due to a hand injury. Trimble looked like himself against Boston College, flying all over the court with tough buckets and rebounds to help the Heels get over the hump. UNC needs that version of Trimble the rest of the season.

Jalen Washington appears to suffer knee injury in UNC vs Boston College game

Jalen Washington had 18 points and six rebounds in a solid effort offensively for UNC’s frontcourt, but he went down with an injury late against the Eagles. Washington appeared to twist his left knee with 3:28 left in overtime and had to be helped off the court by UNC athletic trainer Doug Halverson.

Rodd Baxley covers Duke, North Carolina and N.C. State for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding those teams? Send them to rbaxley@fayobserver.com.