North Carolina had a 12-2 run over the final 4:12 of the first half, holding Miami to one of eight field goals in the opening 20 minutes to take a 46-31 halftime lead. Miami got no closer than 14 in the second half, losing 92-73 for their 15 straight road defeat.
Matthew Cleveland scored 14 of 25 points in the first half and Brandon Johnson had eight of his 20 in the opening 20 minutes as Miami was as close as five with 4:39 remaining before North Carolina had their decisive run. Ven-Allen Lubin led North Carolina with 19 points as nine players scored and six were in double figures.
Johnson made a three-point shot 15 seconds into the game to give Miami the lead. North Carolina answered with a 7-0 run and never trailed after that. Miami stayed within two to three possession before the late first half run by North Carolina to take complete control of the game.
North Carolina opened the second half scoring eight of the first 10 points and the game and the game was never really in doubt after that. Miami played much better in the second half with North Carolina outscoring the Hurricanes 46-42 in the final 20 minutes.
North Carolina shot 58.9 percent from the floor and made 10 of its 18 three-point shots. Miami played without center Lynn Kidd who was out with an ankle injury. The Hurricanes shot 42.6 percent from the floor and made nine of their 30 three-point attempts.
North Carolina outrebounded Miami 38-26 and had a 46-28 advantage in points in the paint. Johnson led Miami with seven rebounds. Ja'ely Withers had 11 points and led North Carolina with 10 rebounds. Four players for North Carolina made multiple three-point shots with Miami entering the day last nationally allowing 42.6 percent on three-point attempts.
Miami plays at Georgia Tech at 7 PM on the ACC Network on Tuesday in its final road game of the season before hosting North Carolina State next Saturday at noon on the CW to finish the 2024-25 regular season. Miami needs a win in its final two games to avoid setting the program record for most losses in one season.