All Tar Heels

UNC Basketball: Top Five Plays From Battle 4 Atlantis Opener

Second-half sharpshooting prevails in the latest UNC basketball highlights.

Matt Giles

UNC basketball forward Harrison Ingram and guard Cormac Ryan (Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports)
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At halftime of UNC basketball's 91-69 win over unranked Northern Iowa on Wednesday afternoon in the opening round of the Battle 4 Atlantis at Imperial Arena in the Bahamas, the No. 14 Tar Heels didn't look like a unit worthy of a "Top Five Plays" recap from the program's social media team.

They trailed, 41-35, shooting only 3-for-13 from deep.

However, they put together a brilliant 34-6 run across the first 10 minutes of the second half, highlighted by eight Tar Heel 3-pointers. That stretch ensured Hubert Davis' third UNC basketball squad avoided what would have been a disheartening upset while racking up more than enough moments for such a highlight package.

So, here are those "Top Five Plays," courtesy of the following post from the team's official account:

5. Three passes around the arc to UNC senior guard RJ Davis for a step-back three

4. UNC graduate forward Jae'Lyn Withers' dipsy-doo reverse layup amid traffic down low

3. UNC freshman guard Elliot Cadeau's behind-the-back slash and flexing finish at the rim

2. UNC junior forward Harrison Ingram's four smooth 3-pointers (three in the second half)

1. UNC graduate guard Cormac Ryan catching fire with three 3-pointers to spark the Tar Heel party

The Tar Heels (4-0) play unranked Villanova (4-1) on Thanksgiving Day at 2:30 p.m. ET. The winner faces either No. 20 Arkansas or unranked Memphis in the Battle 4 Atlantis championship bout on Friday.

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Stay tuned to All Tar Heels on SI.com for more UNC basketball news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining UNC on SI in 2023, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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