Georgia ends 43-year losing streak at North Carolina with 78-70 win
Kanon Catchings scored 22 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as the Bulldogs secured their first victory at the Dean E. Smith Center since 1983.
By Lucia Herrera ·
The University of Georgia defeated the University of North Carolina 78-70 on Friday night, ending a 43-year losing streak at Chapel Hill. The win marks the first time the Bulldogs have beaten the Tar Heels in that venue and their first victory over the program since the 1983 NCAA Tournament Elite Eight round.
The Bulldogs had not won at the Dean E. Smith Center before this matchup. Their previous successful outing against the Tar Heels occurred in March 1983, a result that propelled them to the national championship game. For most of the season, Georgia struggled to find consistent rhythm on the road, making this performance their best of the year.
Kanon Catchings led the offensive attack with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Blue Cain contributed 20 points, while Marcus Millender added 17. The scoring balance allowed the team to maintain control despite North Carolina's efforts to claw back into the game.
Georgia took the lead with 2:11 remaining after Catchings made two free throws. On the next possession, he sank a three-pointer to extend the advantage to 72-68. North Carolina attempted a comeback but failed to close the gap. Catchings, Cain, and Millender each finished the game with three-pointers, a statistical feat not achieved by all three in the same contest previously.
The Tar Heels attempted to mount a final push in the closing minutes but could not overcome the deficit. The final score of 78-70 confirmed Georgia's first road win over the rival program since the early 1980s. The result stands as the first Georgia victory at the Dean E. Smith Center in program history.
